Junior forward Alex Esposito posted two goals and an assist for the Catamounts
Esposito's Three Points Lead Vermont Past Northeastern, 4-2
Junior forward Alex Esposito posted two goals and an assist for the Catamounts

BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Vermont Catamounts broke a 1-1 deadlock with three goals in the second period and knocked off 12th-ranked Northeastern 4-2 on TD Bank Night Friday at Gutterson Fieldhouse.


COACH'S QUOTE

"It was a great hockey game for our team, Northeastern is obviously a very, very talented team," said head coach Kevin Sneddon. "I'm just really happy for our guys; they've had a lot of close games where they've played their hearts out and haven't been rewarded. It was awesome to see them smiling."


HOW IT HAPPENED

- Alex Esposito gave Vermont an early lead at 1:46 of the first period. Matt Alvaro wheeled around the Northeastern net and found Esposito on the right hash mark for a one-time goal over Craig Pantano's glove. Corey Moriarty picked up the secondary assist on the goal.

- Northeastern senior Biagio Lerario tied the game in the second period, netting his fourth goal of the season at 1:23 of the frame. Matt Demelis and Aidan McDonough assisted on the goal.

- Esposito scored his second of the game at 3:32 of the second retake the lead. Alvaro won an offensive zone faceoff back to Owen Grant, who found Esposito at the top of the right circle for the one-time goal.

- Derek Lodermeier doubled the Catamount lead at 5:31 of the frame, blasting a cross-ice pass from William Lemay past a sliding Pantano from the right dot. Esposito picked up the secondary assist for his third point of the night.

- Ace Cowans scored his seventh of the season at 16:30 of the middle period to give Vermont a 4-1 lead. Cowans received a neutral zone pass from Lemay and wired a wrist shot under Pantano's glove from the left circle.

- Demelis cut into the Vermont lead at 1:22 of the third period, receiving a pass from McDonough alone in the slot before slotting a shot over Stefanos Lekkas' blocker.


GAME NOTES

- Alvaro recorded his 50th and 51st career points with assists on Vermont's first two goals. It marked his 12th career multi-point game.

- Esposito recorded his first career three-point game against the Huskies. He entered the night with six two-point outings in his career.

- Lekkas finished the night with 31 saves and now has 3,847 career saves. He is three saves shy of matching Graham Melanson for seventh-most in NCAA history.

- Sneddon recorded his 250th career win at UVM and 300th career NCAA win Friday night.

- With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to a Vermont charity, bringing the 2020 total to 33 wins totaling $3,300. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support, protecting Vermonters since 1828.


UP NEXT

Vermont closes the 2019-20 home slate tomorrow night against Northeastern on Senior Night presented by the UVM Alumni Association at Gutterson Fieldhouse. The six members of the Class of 2020 will be honored prior to the 7:05 p.m. puck drop.

Game Summary

Friday, February 28, 2020

2
4
Game statistics
33 Shots 34
0 / 1 Power Plays 0 / 1
2 / 4 PIM 2 / 4
17-11-3 Records 4-22-6
GOAL SCORERS
Northeastern Vermont
Alex Esposito (4)
1st/1:46
Biagio Lerario (4)
2nd/1:23
Alex Esposito (5)
2nd/3:32
Derek Lodermeier (5)
2nd/5:31  GW
Ace Cowans (7)
2nd/16:30
Matt Demelis (8)
3rd/1:22
GOALTENDERS
Northeastern Vermont
Craig Pantano
58:01, 30 Saves, 4 GA
(L, 17-11-3)

Empty Net
1:59, 0 GA
Stefanos Lekkas
59:44, 31 Saves, 2 GA
(W, 4-20-6)

Empty Net
0:16, 0 GA