NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - Natálie Mlýnková scored 3:13 into overtime as Vermont (5-6-1, 3-3-1) defeated Merrimack (4-10-1, 4-6-1) 5-4 Saturday evening in Hockey East action from Lawler Rink.
COACH'S QUOTE
"It's great to get the win obviously and to score five goals," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "We've got to find a way to close out games more consistently though. It was great to have our international players back and they made a huge impact on the game. I'm expecting another tough game tomorrow and we are going to have to play more consistently.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Merrimack opened the scoring midway through the first period. A Kiki Roust point shot was blocked by a Vermont defender in front but the rebound fell to Courtney Maud who snapped one home in the slot for her third goal of the season.
- Alyssa Holmes answered back for the Catamounts 44 seconds into the second period. On a three-on-three rush Maude Poulin-Labelle drove to towards the net before feeding a pass back to Holmes who was a trailer on the play. She one-timed the feed over the goaltender's shoulder for her first goal of the season.
- UVM took the lead with a power play tally 8:39 into the middle frame. Corrine McCool knocked down a Sini Karjalainen point shot in front of the net. She quickly passed it over to Theresa Schafzahl who one-timed it home in the slot for her second of the campaign.
- The Catamounts scored two more goals in the middle frame 51 seconds apart to take a three-goal lead. With five minutes left in the second Evelyne Blais-Savoie scored her first career goal for Vermont. She gathered the rebound on a Poulin-Labelle shot and roofed it.
- With 4:09 left in the second McCool scored on the power play for her second of the season. Lily Humphrey fed a pass to Karjalainen at the point that she one-timed on goal. Merrimack's Emma Gorski couldn't control the rebound and McCool tapped it home from just inside the crease.
- With 2:13 left in the second Teghan Inglis drew Merrimack within two goals with her sixth of the season. On a one-on-three rush Inglis got a step on a UVM defender and roofed a backhand past Jessie McPherson.
- Merrimack scored twice in the final six minutes of regulation to force overtime Saturday. Ally Qualley scored with 5:49 left and Inglis found the back of the net again with 1:58 remaining.
- During the three-on-three Schafzahl retreated to the neutral zone before stopping on a dime and losing a Merrimack player going the other way. With Schafzahl's quick move UVM reentered the Merrimack zone on a three-on-one. Schafzahl passed over to Mlýnková setting her up alone with Gorski. She fired a wrist shot stick side for the winner.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- For the second time this season Natálie Mlýnková scored the game-winning goal against the Warriors.
- Vermont won 62% of the draws Saturday night. Natálie Mlýnková won 10 draws and Hailey Burns won eight.
- Bella Parento blocked a game-high five shots for the Catamounts.
- Sini Karjalainen led all skaters with three points, all assists in the second period.
- Vermont outshot Merrimack 16-2 in the second period as they scored four goals.
WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts and Warriors are back at it tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. in their final regular season matchup. The game will air live for free on CollegeSportsLive.
