BURLINGTON, Vt. - Theresa Schafzahl (1 goal, 2 assists) and Kristina Shanahan (2 goals) gave the Vermont Catamounts (10-18-5, 8-15-3 WHEA) a quick first period lead to down the Holy Cross Crusaders (1-28-3, 1-24-1 WHEA) on Senior Night presented by the UVM Alumni Association Saturday at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
COACH'S QUOTE
"The team was really focused today and it was a great treat to get off to such a great start," said head coach Jim Plumer. "I'm really happy for the seniors who have given so much to this program, to have a game where the whole team played so well and where the outcome was never in doubt. And I have to say, having Sammy Kolowrat sing the Czech national anthem was a career highlight."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Cats jumped out to the lead when Schafzahl found the back of the net at 1:32 of the first period. Ève-Audrey Picard found the Austrian rookie at the top of the zone where she stepped in and fired a wrist shot into the top corner. Sini Karjalainen had the secondary assist on the opening goal.
- Shanahan added two goals in 21 seconds to give Vermont a commanding lead. Schafzahl assisted on both goals while Picard and Corinne McCool added helpers as the Cats went up 3-0 with 10:17 left in the first period.
- Melissa Black (22 saves) made some timely saves in the second period as Holy Cross piled on 10 shots in the 20 minute frame. The senior goaltender was knocked down, but still made a pair of saves to keep the Crusaders off the scoreboard.
- Shanahan almost registered a hat trick with 11:33 left in the middle frame, but it was turned away by Julia Pelletier (36 saves) who was able to get the knob of her stick on the puck.
- Holy Cross' Rachel Moore tallied the Crusaders' only goal of the game with an unassisted marker at the midway point of the second period.
- Val Caldwell netted her third goal of the season with 7:47 left in the middle frame to extend the Catamounts' total to four. McCool recorded her second assist of the game and Ali O'Leary had the secondary helper.
- The two squad played a tightly contested third period as UVM secured the victory and the weekend sweep.
NOTES:
- Vermont moves to eighth in Hockey East standings, gaining a one point lead over Maine with one game remaining.
- With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Make-A-Wish Vermont; bringing this year's total to 33 wins and $3,300.
WHAT'S NEXT
Vermont closes out the regular season Saturday (Feb. 23) on the road against the Maine Black Bears as they battle for the final Hockey East playoff spot. Puck drop for the important contest is slated for 2 p.m. at Alfond Arena.
