WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Catamounts (7-8-3) scored three goals in the opening 6:54 of action Sunday evening on their way to a 6-0 win over Army, their fourth in a row, in non-conference action from Tate Rink. Philip Törnqvist, Colin Kessler, Timofei Spitserov, and Massimo Lombardi each had two points apiece for Vermont.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Proud of our guys for their maturity," said Head Coach Steve Wiedler. "Unbelievable game by Axel, he made a ton of big saves in the second and third. We had contributions up and down the lineup. Time to get ready for SLU at home."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Spitserov and Kessler combined to open the scoring for Vermont 3:39 into the opening frame. Kessler fired a shot from the point that Spitserov redirected past Army's Evan Szary for his fifth goal of the season.
- At the 6:16 mark Spitserov helped double the UVM lead. He forced a turnover in the neutral zone and Max Strand capitalized on a two-on-one rush. Strand looked to shoot and roofed his fifth of the year to make it 2-0.
- Just 38 seconds later Vermont scored again on an odd-man rush. Massimo Lombardi broke in alone on a breakaway. He deked to his backhand and appeared to beat Szary on the play. The puck bounced off the post and sat in the crease. Trailing on the play Jens Richards tapped home his third goal of the season.
- Vermont chased Szary from the contest with their fourth goal of the first period at the 9:22 mark. Jax Wismer kept the puck in the Army zone with a quick backhand feed to Simon Jellus. Jellus quickly got the puck down low to Joel Määttä and then Määttä one-touched a feed to Isak Walther alone in the slot. Walther one-timed home his fourth goal of the year.
- The Catamounts extended their lead to five goals with a power play tally in the middle frame. Lombardi one-timed home a cross-ice feed from Kessler. Axel Mangbo (25 Saves) earned the secondary assist on the goal.
- Blake Steenerson closed out the scoring Sunday evening with his fourth goal of the year. A Thomas Sinclair shot was deflected wide, but the puck caromed off the end boards and right to Steenerson who one-timed it home.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Sunday's four-goal first period matched UVM's best period this season (12/13 First at Union)
- Max Strand has recorded a point in seven straight games, over that stretch he has four goals and four assists. The first year forward leads Vermont in scoring with 16 points this season.
- UVM has scored a power play goal in its last four games.
- With tonight's 6-0 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $450 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.
- With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Children's Trust Foundation as part of the Cats Wins, Community Wins Initiative.
UP NEXT
The Catamounts return to action in 2025 on Saturday, January 4 at 6 p.m. as they host St. Lawrence in their final non-conference regular season game at Gutterson Fieldhouse. It will be the 97th all-time meeting between the two rivals. Saturday is Rally's Birthday Party and Youth Day presented by Healthy Living. There will be pizza, cupcakes, face painting, giveaways and more! Fans 12 and under receive a free GA ticket at the box office beginning at 4:45 p.m. Fans looking to purchase tickets can do so at go.uvm.edu/rallybday.
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.
