DULUTH, Minn. - An offensive surge in the first and second period powered fourth-ranked Minnesota Duluth (10-5-1, 7-4-1 WCHA) over Vermont (3-13-2, 2-7-2 WHEA) on Saturday night at AMSOIL Arena.
COACH'S QUOTE:
"Duluth was the better team today and again they continued to make us pay for mistakes," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "Today was the kind of day where we see what we are made of and the challenge in front of us is to use this weekend to prepare us for the rest of the Hockey East schedule. We have one more game left before break against Merrimack next Friday and they will get our full attention."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Bulldogs came out on fire in the opening period, striking four times on goals from Zoey Krock, Payton Holloway, and two from Clara Van Wieren in the first 20 minutes of action, earning UMD the early 4-0 lead.
- Just 45 seconds into the middle frame, on the powerplay, the Catamounts scored their first goal of the weekend when Kyla Bent and Kaylee Lewis worked the puck over to Hailey Eikos with a cross-ice pass, waiting at the far circle. After receiving the puck, Eikos took a few strides towards the net, ripping a wrist shot to the back bar of the net, securing her second goal of the season to bring Vermont within three, 4-1.
- UMD would respond with three answered goals to conclude the second period, heading into the final frame with a 7-1 advantage. Danielle Burgen notched one tally while Caitlin Kraemer registered two goals.
- After Tova Henderson scored UMD's eighth goal of the game, Kraemer secured her first collegiate hat trick with just over two minutes remaining of gametime to give the Bulldogs a 9-1 advantage. No goals were scored for the remainder of the game as UMD skated away with the weekend sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Eikos earned her second goal of the season, tying her career high from last season.
- Bent and Lewis each notched one assist, placing them both with five assists on the season, tying a team high in that department.
- Lewis and Maisey Bojarski each tallied a team high three shots on goal. Bojarski's three shots on net is a career high.
- Ellie Simmons earned 31 total saves in two periods worth of play, a new career high.
UP NEXT:
The Catamounts will stay on the road, returning to Hockey East play as they head to North Andover, MA to wrap up their season series with the Merrimack Warriors on Friday (Dec. 6). The road matchup with Merrimack will be Vermont's final game of the 2024 calendar year. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
