BURLINGTON, Vt. - A four-point night by Mikyla Grant-Mentis powered the Merrimack Warriors (12-7-3, 8-6-1 WHEA) over the Vermont Catamounts (6-12-4, 4-9-2 WHEA) Friday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Merrimack certainly earned the win tonight with their opportunistic play," said head coach Jim Plumer. "Our team played hard and had chances to make this a different outcome, but we have to convert our chances and minimize mistakes."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Catamounts outshot Merrimack in the first period, but trailed 2-0 heading to intermission. Jessica Bonfe's power-play goal with 4:28 left in the opening frame was followed up by a shorthanded tally by Grant-Mentis 2:29 later. The goal was Grant-Mentis' second point of the period.
- Dominique Kremer extended the Warriors' lead 48 seconds into the second period on a shorthanded goal that was assisted by Grant-Mentis.
- Vermont nearly cut the lead multiple times on the power play in the middle frame. While on a 5-on-3 advantage, Theresa Schafzahl carried the puck from the half-wall to the high slot and dished a pass to Kristina Shanahan for a one-timer, but the UVM sophomore was denied by Samantha Ridgewell (35 saves).
- Grant-Mentis added her second goal of the night with 3:33 left in the middle frame when she intercepted a pass on the penalty kill and rushed up the ice before slipping the puck around the pads of Melissa Black (9 saves).
- Vermont continued to put shots on net in the third period and were rewarded with Alyssa Holmes' second goal of the season. The sophomore forward received a centering pass from Val Caldwell and batted the puck through the pads of Ridgewell. Maude Poulin-Labelle was credited with the secondary assist.
NOTES
- Blanka Škodová entered the UVM goal in the third period and registered 10 saves.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Catamounts and Merrimack match up once again Saturday (Jan. 12) for a 4 p.m. puck drop at Gutterson Fieldhouse. Kids are encouraged to stick around after the game for a post-game press conference. The young fans will receive a Vermont credential for the exclusive opportunity to be able to ask the players any questions they have.
