Vermont Falls to Concordia, 3-2, in Exhibition Play

Senior forward Mario Puskarich scores goal for Catamounts
Prd Time  Team Score Type Scored By Assists
1st 1:12  CNQ1-0 EV Dominic BeaucheminPhilippe Hudon
1st 9:27  VER1-1 PP Mario PuskarichMatt O'Donnell, Brendan Bradley
1st 17:17  CNQ2-1 EV Charles-Eric LegareJulien Ranville-Avon, Raphael Lafontaine
3rd 15:24  VER2-2 EV Ross ColtonBrendan Bradley, Brady Shaw
3rd 15:46  CNQ3-2 EV GW Raphael LafontaineJulien Ranville-Avon, Charles-Eric Legare
Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd Final
Concordia (QC)  2013
Vermont  1012
Shots on Goal 1st 2nd 3rd SOG
Concordia (QC)  75416
Vermont  12151744
Team Stats and Records  PP PIM SHGF
Concordia (QC)  0/3 11/30 0
Vermont  1/9 5/18 0
Concordia (QC) Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Philippe Cadorette (W)60:002 11151642
Vermont Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Mike Santaguida20:002 5005
Pat Feeley20:000 0505
Stefanos Lekkas (L)18:571 0033
Empty Net1:030     

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Despite a 44-16 shot advantage, Vermont fell to Concordia 3-2 on Raphael Lafontaine's late winner in the third period on Saturday night in exhibition action at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

Ross Colton tied the game at two with 4:36 remaining in regulation, but Lafontaine answered just 22 seconds later to put the Stingers up for good. Philippe Cadorette posted 42 saves in net for Concordia in a winning effort.

Concordia struck first 1:12 into the first period as Dominic Beauchemin turned a low wrist shot through the five-hole of Mike Santaguida, who made five saves in a period of work.

Mario Puskarich tied the game near the midway point of the first, finishing a rebound on the doorstep from Matt O'Donnell's right point shot. Co-captain Brendan Bradley picked up the second assist on the play at 9:27.

Charles-Eric Legare restored the lead for Concordia with 2:43 left in the frame. Julien Ranville-Avon threw the puck to the top of the crease from below the goal line, and it deflected off Legare inside the left post.

Vermont had a pair of 5-on-3 power plays in the second period but couldn't convert. Cadorette made a sprawling save on Rob Darrar during the first opportunity, denying the junior on a one-timer from the low right circle. Senior Pat Feeley held Concordia off the board and made five saves in the second period.

Colton finally pulled UVM even with under five minutes to play. Brady Shaw chipped the puck down the right wing boards for Bradley, who skated into the right wing circle. Bradley fed a pass through the slot for Colton and the rookie quickly finished blocker side on Cadorette.

Less than 30 seconds later, Lafontaine redirected a centering pass from Ranville-Avon just inside the right post to beat Stefanos Lekkas (three saves) from the top of the crease. The Catamounts pulled Lekkas with a minute to play but Cadorette shut the door.

Colton led all players with seven shots on goal in his collegiate debut. Vermont was 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 1-for-9 on the power play.

The Catamounts open the regular season next weekend with a home-and-home series against former ECAC rival Clarkson. UVM travels to Cheel Arena on Friday (Oct. 7) for the season opener at 7 p.m., before returning to Gutterson to host the Golden Knights on Saturday (Oct. 8) at 7:05 p.m. For tickets to the home opener, log on to UVMathletics.com/Tickets.