BURLINGTON, Vt. - Vermont (8-23-2, 7-17-2 HE) women's hockey scored three goals in the opening 4:01 to start the second period on Friday evening from Gutterson Fieldhouse, propelling the Catamounts to a 3-2 victory over #14 Northeastern (19-13-1, 14-11-1 HE). With the win, Vermont secures its fifth win over a top 15 nationally ranked opponent this season.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Really proud of the bounce back and resilience that this group showed today," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "Obviously last weekend was disappointing but we regrouped, looked forward and put together some really good stretches of play, especially in the second period and then again after Northeastern closed within one goal. Credit to Jane Gervais for standing tall in net and for our opportunistic goal scores, Maddy Skelton, Ashley Kokavec, and Evelyne Blais-Savoie. We will look to finish strong tomorrow while we honor our seniors and grad students."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless first period, Vermont came out on fire to start the middle period, scoring three goals in the opening four minutes to gain a 3-0 lead.
- Maddy Skelton got the scoring started just 21 seconds into puck drop in the second frame, being rewarded after crashing the net on a breakaway from Lara Beecher that was denied by Lisa Jonsson, getting the puck to deflect off her skate without a kicking motion, eventually finding the back of the net to earn the Catamounts the first lead of the game, 1-0.
- 37 seconds later, Ashley Kokavec made it 2-0 in favor of Vermont, scoring her fifth goal of the year after corralling a puck from the feet of a battling Oona Havana, unleashing a fast wrist shot under the blocker of Jonsson to hand Vermont a 2-0 lead to open the second period.
- 4:01 into the second period, Evelyne Blais-Savoie tallied her sixth goal of the year as a UVM powerplay had just finished, applying significant forecheck pressure with Skelton and Natalie Zarcone to keep the puck in the Huskie zone, allowing for Blais-Savoie to be one-on-one with a defender from the point skating downhill. After dangling around the first Huskie defender, Blais-Savoie sniped her shot glove side high, securing Vermont its third unanswered goal to begin the second period.
- A spectacular performance from Jane Gervais displaying incredible athleticism to stop all 11 shots sent her way in the second period allowed for the Catamounts to enter the final period of action with a three-goal cushion.
- Northeastern got on the scoreboard two minutes into the third period thanks to Lily Brazis finding the back of the net for the fourth time this season, cutting the Huskie deficit, bringing them back within two, 3-1.
- Skylar Irving cut the Catamount lead to just one goal 5:41 into the third frame, scoring her 13th goal of the season, making the score 3-2 in favor of Vermont.
- Gervais stopped the final seven shots fired her way for the remainder of the third period, highlighted by a brilliant clutch save with eight seconds of gametime remaining, securing Vermont the 3-2 home victory on Friday night from Gutterson Fieldhouse.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Skelton recorded her first multi-point game of the season, seventh of her career, tallying one goal and one assist on Friday against Northeastern.
- Kokavec notched her fifth goal of the season, which ties her career high for most goals scored in a single season. Kokavec also tied her season high in blocked shots, recording three against the Huskies.
- Blais-Savoie scored her sixth goal of the season to go along with three blocked shots and a game high nine faceoff wins.
- Havana tallied one assist, putting her at five helpers on the season. Havana now has a point in back-to-back games for the second time this season.
- Beecher added to her team high 16 points by securing one assist against Northeastern while adding a team high three shots on net.
- Bent recorded one assist, putting her at 10 points on the year, the second time in her career reaching double digit points in a single season.
- Zarcone notched an assist on the game-winning goal, her third assist of the season.
- Gervais made 25 total saves to anchor Vermont to victory, the 12th time this season registering 25 or more saves in a game.
- Vermont successfully killed off both Northeastern penalties.
- UVM blocked 16 shots to the Huskies nine.
- The Catamounts won 23 faceoffs to the Huskies 19.
- With tonight's 3-2 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.
- 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.
UP NEXT
Vermont defends home ice again tomorrow as they prepare to finish the regular season against #14 Northeastern in the final game of their season series. Saturday's (Feb. 22) tilt against the Huskies is Senior Day Presented by MVP Health Care with puck drop scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Gutterson Fieldhouse. All the action will be live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call.
Saturday night's contest will be senior day for seven Catamounts. Kyla Bent, Evelyne Blais-Savoie, Sydney Correa, Jane Gervais, Grace Nelles, Maddy Skelton, and Alaina Tanski are the seven seniors who will be graduating in May 2025. Prior to the official puck drop, there will be a ceremony presented by MVP Health Care at center ice to honor the seven graduating seniors.
