NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Abby Cleary recorded a career-high three points and Blanka Škodová stopped 27 shots as the Vermont Catamounts (5-9-4, 3-7-2 WHEA) powered past the Yale Bulldogs (2-11-0, 2-6-0 ECAC) Friday afternoon at Ingalls Rink.
COACH'S QUOTE
"It was great to get off to a great start today and especially for Abby Cleary to have a breakout game for us with two goals in the first period," said head coach Jim Plumer. "And for Corinne McCool to score her first as well. For a while I have felt that this team was really coming together and maturing and we saw that for a lot of the game today. We can still get better though and we will need to be as I am sure Yale will be better tomorrow."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Vermont went on attack early and largely controlled the pace of the first period with an 11-5 shot advantage and a 3-0 lead.
- Cleary netted her first goal as a Catamount with a wrist shot from the slot on the power play to open the scoring. Ève-Audrey Picard and Alyssa Gorecki assisted on the junior forward's goal at 2:21 of the opening frame.
- UVM struck a 1:40 later with Theresa Schafzahl's fourth goal of the season. Picard took a hit along the wall but dished the puck out to the rookie who beat Tera Hofmann short-side for a two-goal lead.
- Cleary added her second of the game with 5:44 left in the first period. Sammy Kolowrat chipped the puck around the Yale net and Cleary recovered it before slipping a backhand shot past Hofmann. Sini Karjalainen was credited with the secondary assist.
- The Catamounts continued to have scoring chances in the second period, outshooting Yale 10-6 in the frame. Picard and Schafzahl both came close to extending the lead, but were denied by the glove of Hofmann.
- Vermont tallied two goals in the middle of the third period for a five-goal lead. Corinne McCool netted her first career goal on assists from Cleary and Karjalainen. Olivia Kilberg registered a shorthanded marker shortly after.
- Yale's Jordan Chancellor spoiled Škodova's shutout bid on the power play with 4:16 left in regulation.
NOTES
- Vermont registered its most goals in a single period this season with three goals in the opening frame.
- The five goals overall marked the Catamounts' largest offensive outburst this year, beating the previous mark of three.
- With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate another $100 to the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington, bringing this year's total to 111 wins and $11,100.
WHAT'S NEXT
Vermont closes out 2018 with the second part of the two-game series against Yale Saturday (Dec. 8), 2 p.m. at Ingalls Rink.
