BURLINGTON, Vt. - Joel Määttä scored the lone goal of the shootout Friday night to earn the Catamounts two Hockey East points in a 3-3 tie with #17 UMass from Gutterson Fieldhouse on Military Appreciation Night presented by Milton CAT.
COACH'S QUOTE
"We battled again against a top-20 team," said Head Coach Steve Wiedler. "I'm happy for our guys to pick up the extra point in the shootout. Those points matter in the Hockey East standings. However, it's time to turn the page. Tomorrow will be a very tough test."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UMass opened the scoring 3:22 into the opening period. Owen Murray notched his second goal of the season from the point. Through traffic his wrist shot went off the cross bar and in through heavy traffic. The Minutemen goal was their first shot of the contest.
- Philip Törnqvist answered back for the Catamounts with a power play tally at the 9:53 mark of the first. Jax Wismer and Törnqvist passed it along the blueline together and then switched spots before Törnqvist fired a wrist shot that UMass' Michael Hrabal never saw through traffic. Max Strand picked up his team-leading fifth assist of the season on the Catamounts third power play goal in the last two games.
- The Minutemen retook the lead with 4:14 left in the opening period. Linden Alger fired a point shot that UVM's Keenan Rancier padded aside but the rebound came right to James Duerr who tapped it home for his first career collegiate goal.
- Vermont equalized 33 seconds into the middle frame. Jax Wismer had a point shot deflect off a UMass defender in front, but Colin Kessler corralled the loose puck and dropped it to Simon Jellus as he cut into the slot. Jellus gathered the puck and fired a wrist shot home for his second of the season.
- Xavier Henry gave the Catamounts their first lead of the night 11:33 into the second period. Isak Walther fed Henry at the point, and he was able to skate into the slot before firing a wrist shot off the far post and in for his first goal of the season. Strand earned another assist on the play.
- With 11:54 to play in the third period UMass tied things at three with Duerr's second goal of the night. Francesco Dell'Elce fired a wrist shot from the point and it hit traffic hit front and deflected high in the air. Duerr was the first to spot it in the slot and he fired it home.
- During three-on-three overtime the Catamounts earned a power play. Kessler just missed picking up the win for Vermont ringing an attempt off the pipe.
- In the shootout Rancier stopped all three Minutemen attempts and Määttä's impressive backhand finish sealed the deal for Vermont.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- This evening was the fifth straight game that has gone to overtime for the Catamounts, establishing a new program record. From January 6-19, 2001, UVM played four straight OT games with a record of 0-3-1. Over the last five games this season UVM is now 1-2-2.
- Max Strand was the game's First Star tonight; he now leads Vermont with six assists on the season.
- With an assist tonight Colin Kessler leads Vermont in scoring this season with four goals and four assists for eight points. He is currently third in rookie scoring in Hockey East.
- Vermont has now scored four power play goals in its last three games.
- Tonight was the second time this season Vermont has outshot its opponent.
- UVM is now 2-0-1 in its last three games against UMass, in all three contests the Minutemen have been ranked.
- With tonight's 3-3 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $225 to Special Olympics Vermont. Community Bank, N.A. donates $75 per goal to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal the men's and women's team scores this season.
UP NEXT
The Catamounts and No. 17 UMass are back at it tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Saturday is the annual TD Bank Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to bring in NEW stuffed animals to toss onto the ice during the first intermission to benefit the King Street Center. TD Bank cardholders are also eligible to receive a 20% discount at the UVM Bookstore's athletic kiosks as well as free hot chocolate or coffee at UVM Dining concessions stands at the game.
Saturday's contest will air live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call. As always, it will also be broadcast live on WVMT (96.3 FM/620 AM) with the voice of the Catamounts Adam Lafleur in the Handy Toyota Broadcast Booth.
