NO. ANDOVER, Mass. - The Catamounts will enter the new year in the win column for the third straight season thanks to Evelyne Blais-Savoie's game winning tally midway through the final period, lifting Vermont past Merrimack 2-1 on Friday afternoon from Lawler Rink. With the win, UVM improves to 4-13-2 (3-7-2 WHEA) while Merrimack drops to 5-11-1 (2-7-1 WHEA).
COACH'S QUOTE:
"Great way for our team to go into the break," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "Goals have been tough to come by so far this year, so it was great for us to score first, and to get an important insurance goal. Jane Gervais was stellar in net again and the team played great in front of her. I'm proud of the resilience we've shown this semester and look forward to a good break and coming back ready to go for a sprint to the finish."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Vermont opened scoring 11:47 into the first period, seeing Lara Beecher and Rose-Marie Brochu each attempt shots on net, but both skaters had their shots blocked resulting in the puck trickling out to Hailey Eikos, wasting no time taking a snapshot on net. Eikos shot was tipped by a Merrimack defender, allowing the puck to slip past the Warriors goalies glove, securing her third goal of the season, earning the Catamounts a 1-0 advantage.
- 7:31 into the second frame, Evelyne Blais-Savoie had an incredible scoring opportunity, dancing around multiple Merrimack skaters with a combo of toe drags and dekes, making her way to the slot where she tried a backhand shot on net, but Calli Hogarth was there to make the leg save, keeping the Catamount lead at a one goal advantage.
- After a scoreless second period, the Catamounts pounced for a second time 9:03 into the final frame. Ashley Kokavec started with the puck at the point, sending it down to Beecher who used her backhand to find Blais-Savoie all alone in the slot, who quickly snapped a shot to the top right corner, scoring her fifth goal of the season to give Vermont a 2-0 lead with just over ten minutes of action remaining.
- A cross-checking penalty on Kaylee Lewis awarded the Warriors a power-play with 2:26 of gametime remaining. After pulling their goalie, Merrimack was able to cash in on the 6-on-4 skater advantage, cutting the Vermont lead in half, 2-1.
- A crucial blocked shot by Maddy Skelton with 22 seconds left on the clock sealed the deal, as Vermont skated away with the 2-1 road victory, heading into the new calendar year in the win column.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Blais-Savoie added to her team high in goals, securing her fifth tally of the season versus the Warriors to go along with four shots on net, tying a season high for the third time on the campaign.
- Eikos notched one goal against Merrimack, scoring in back-to-back games for the first time in her career. Eikos now has three goals on the season, a new career high.
- Beecher registered two assists on Friday afternoon, the fourth time in her career totaling two assists in a single game. Beecher led a game high +2 rating to go along with four shots on net.
- Brochu notched one assist, her fifth of the season to go along with a game high five shots on goal and another game high, 13 faceoff wins. Brochu's five shots on goal marks a new career high for her in that category.
- Kokavec added one assist against Merrimack, putting her at seven total points on the campaign, leading all Catamount defenders. Kokavec also tallied a game high six shot attempts and a game high two blocked shots.
- Gervais made 23 total saves, posting a 95.8% save percentage, anchoring the Catamounts to a 2-1 road victory.
- UVM outshot Merrimack 32-23.
- Vermont won 27 faceoffs to the Warriors 16.
- With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Children's Trust Foundation as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.
UP NEXT:
Following Vermont's win over the Warriors, the Catamounts get an extended break before beginning the new year welcoming Providence to Gutterson Fieldhouse for a classic Hockey East matchup, as they prepare to wrap of their season series with the Friars. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 3). Catch all the action live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call.
