BURLINGTON, Vt. - Six different Catamounts scored as Vermont swept their Hockey East series with Holy Cross in a dominant 6-1 win from Gutterson Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon. With the win the Catamounts are now 3-1-0 this season while the Crusaders fall to 3-6-0.
COACH'S QUOTE
"This was as complete a team effort as we have had in a long time," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "We had lots of different names on the scoresheet and significant contributions up and down the lineup. It was great to see us come out hungry again and score early. We played with great energy and urgency in all six periods this weekend. I'm really proud of the commitment of this team. It's a special group."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Catamounts opened the scoring 13 seconds into the game. Off the opening draw Theresa Schafzahl fed Natálie Mlýnková and she cut into the Holy Cross zone with speed. She beat Crusaders defense to the corner and fired a quick shot that Holy Cross' Jada Brenon stopped but couldn't control. The rebound was lying in the crease and Olivia Kilberg tapped it home for her second goal of the weekend series.
- In her first start of the season Blanka Škodová made eight saves in the first period for Vermont.
- Hailey Burns scored her first goal of the season 3:05 into the second period. Ellice Murphy cut down the wing and fired a shot on net, it was padded aside but Murphy was able to center the puck and Burns slammed it home to double the UVM lead.
- Corinne McCool made it 3-0 Catamounts midway through the second period. She took a quick feed from Anna Erickson at the point, skated into the slot and wired a shot past Brenon for her second goal of the weekend.
- Vermont put the game out of reach early in the third period with two goals 1:36 apart. Alyssa Holmes scored her first of the season 1:26 into the frame and Sara Levesque scored her first career goal at the 3:02 mark on the power play. Levesque's goal spelled an early end to the game for Holy Cross' Brenon. Junior Sarah Street entered the game for Holy Cross making her collegiate debut.
- Holy Cross' Sofia Smithson ended Vermont's bid for a second straight shutout with her first career goal 7:44 into the final frame. Erickson closed out the scoring for Vermont with another power play marker 39 seconds later.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Vermont was three-for-three on the penalty kill today, they are a perfect 17-for-17 on the season, best in the NCAA. They are one of six teams that are perfect on the kill, but UVM's 17 times shorthanded is the most.
- In addition to scoring her first career goal Sara Levesque blocked a game-high four shots.
- With today's win from Škodová Vermont joins Boston College as the only team in the country with three goalies that each have a win on the year.
- When the Cats Win, Community Wins. With each Catamount win, Vermont Mutual Insurance donates $100 to a local non-profit. In 2020, they donated $15,000 to Spectrum Youth and Family Services. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.
- With today's score of 6-1 Community Bank, N.A. will be adding a donation of $450 to Special Olympics Vermont. Cheer on our Catamounts as they go for the win while creating a special bond with community members! Thank you Community Bank, N.A. for your support of our UVM and Special Olympics athletes!
WHO'S NEXT
Vermont will return to action on Friday, January 8 and Saturday, January 9 with its opponent and location to be announced. Hockey East is shifting schedules in an effort to make up previously postponed games. A full schedule update from Hockey East will be announced on Tuesday, January 5.
