NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Catamounts scored two power play goals and added a shorthanded tally in a come from behind win Friday night from Lawler Arena as Vermont (11-13-3, 6-9-2) skated to a 4-2 win over Merrimack (12-16-1, 8-10-1) in Hockey East action.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Really proud of our guys," said Head Coach Steve Wiedler. "Team effort all the way around. We went down 1-0 and again showed the resolve to battle back against a good opponent. Power play really showed up for us and I thought our leaders led from the front of the pack. Will be another big test tomorrow."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Warriors opened the scoring with 16 seconds to play in the first period on their first power play of the contest. Nick Pierre scored his fourth goal of the season on a one-timer from the top of the circle. Zach Bookman and Ty Daneault assisted on the tally.
- Vermont responded with its own power play tally 4:25 into the middle frame. The Catamounts worked the puck down low and Isak Walther fed a cross-crease pass to Joel Määttä who one-timed it home for his sixth goal of the season. Simon Jellus also earned an assist on the tally. Vermont scored 20 seconds into what was their third man advantage of the contest.
- With 1:50 to play in the second period the Catamounts struck again on the power play to take their first lead of the contest. Colin Kessler had a one-timer blocked from the faceoff circle, but he regathered his own rebound and skated to the top of the zone before firing home his 10th of the season through traffic in front. Sebastian Tornqvist and Will Zapernick earned assists on the play.
- The Catamounts played perfect road hockey with the lead early in the third period. Through 11 minutes in the final frame Axel Mangbo only had to make four saves for Vermont.
- Jellus made it a two-goal lead with his eighth goal of the season with 7:01 to play in regulation. Amidst a puck battle along the boards Määttä chipped the puck forward to Walther. Isak dropped the puck back to Jellus and with some time and space he sniped home a key insurance marker for UVM.
- With 5:33 to play in regulation UVM's Daniel Sambuco was assessed a five-minute major for boarding. On the ensuing power play the Catamounts were outstanding. Manbgo had to make one save before Määttä iced the contest with a shorthanded goal with 2:04 to play.
- Antonio Venuto did score a power play goal for Merrimack with 45 seconds to play but it was too little too late for the Warriors.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- With tonight's 4-2 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $300 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.
- The Catamounts won tonight which means that Vermont Mutual Insurance will be donating $100 to the Lund Center. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.
- After tonight Vermont is now 8-0-3 this season when leading after two periods.
- This evening was the third time this season that Vermont has scored two power play goals.
- After his second career two-goal game and second career three-point night co-captain Joel Määttä now leads Vermont in scoring with 21 points.
- Tonight was Vermont's eighth road win of the season, the most since they had nine during the 2015-16 campaign.
UP NEXT
The Catamounts and Warriors are back at it tomorrow night at 7 p.m. from Lawler Arena. Saturday's contest will air live on ESPN+ and 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.
