BURLINGTON, VT. - The UConn men's hockey team wrapped up the 2024-25 regular season with a victory over the Vermont Catamounts Thursday evening to finish the season with a 20-10-4 overall record and a 12-8-4 record in Hockey East. This is UConn's third 20-win season in the last four season.
Vermont jumped the Huskies early in the first period, pressuring the UConn defense and freshman Callum Tung. The Huskies defense remained strong as they were able to weather the Catamount storm and not allow a goal. Midway through the first period, the Huskies offense started to create chances, and the pressure eventually paid off as a shot by Trey Scott from the blue line was saved, but sophomore Joey Muldowney was right there for the rebound and UConn's first goal of the evening. Following a Vermont penalty, the UConn power play went to work and found the back of the net as Jake Richard one timed a puck for the goal and improves his point streak to 10 games. Callum Tung finished the period with 13 saves to preserve a two-goal lead.
The second period was a physical battle from the puck drop. The Huskies looked to extend their lead while the Catamounts tried to make it a one goal game. The Huskies were able to extend their lead midway through the second period as Jake Richard took a feed from Hudson Schandor and was able to beat the goalie for his second of the night and UConn's third of the evening. Vermont looked to find the back of the net late in the period as a holding penalty on Hugh Larkin and then a tripping penalty on Ryan Tattle, gave the Catamounts the man advantage for four total minutes. Despite the long ice time, the UConn penalty kill was strong preventing any Vermont from gaining momentum and holding the three-goal lead.
The third period was a physical battle. Vermont had their best opportunity of the evening midway through the third period as a two on one breakaway looked primed to find the back of the net, but freshman Callum Tung made a sprawling save to deny the Catamounts and preserve the shutout. Vermont eventually found the back of the net with 3:53 left in the third period as a puck fired from the blue line found its way through traffic and past Callum Tung. Down two, Vermont pulled their netminder in favor of an extra skater. With the goalie pulled, UConn sealed the win as Joey Muldowney scored his second of the night on the empty net to secure the 4-1 victory.
With the win, the Huskies clinch the fourth overall seed in Hockey East playoffs and will await their opponent. The Huskies will either welcome Providence or Massachusetts to Storrs for the Hockey East quarterfinals.
