FINAL SCORE: Vermont 3, Clarkson 0
POTSDAM, N.Y. – Mike Santaguida posted a 28-save shutout in his season debut on Saturday night as Vermont swept a home-and-home series against former ECAC rival Clarkson with a convincing 3-0 victory at Cheel Arena. The Catamounts improve to 3-0-0 (1-0-0 HEA) for the first time since 2005, while the Golden Knights fall to 2-2-0 (0-0-0 ECAC).
 
Kevin Irwin registered his first career goal in the win, while Mario Puskarich and Mike Paliotta each posted multi-point games with a goal and an assist. Vermont's penalty kill was perfect 7-for-7 on the night, including a full two minute 5-on-3 late in the second period.
 
"We played a much better game tonight than Friday. It's really tough to play a team like Clarkson as physical and as defensive as they are," said head coach Kevin Sneddon. "We had a little more jump in our legs and we played a more complete game from start to finish. Santaguida was excellent, our penalty kill was especially sensational, and it was a total team effort."
 
Vermont opened the scoring at the 8:06 mark of the first period as Alexx Privitera took a feed from Paliotta at the left point. Privitera fired a pass toward the right faceoff dot for Puskarich, and the sophomore beat Steve Perry short side with a quick snap shot for his second tally of the season.
 
The Catamounts doubled the lead seven minutes later with Colin Markison skating down the left wing in the Clarkson zone. Markison slid a pass inside to an open Irwin, and the rookie deked backhand on Perry to finish his off first collegiate tally. Mike Stenerson posted the second assist on the play at 15:12.
 
During a 4-on-4 situation early in the second period, James Howden missed the net on a 2-on-1 and Paliotta sprung Puskarich on a partial breakaway. The sophomore rung the right post with a strong wrister, but Paliotta pounced on the rebound and stuck it home for a 3-0 cushion.
 
Later in the frame, Vermont was called for simultaneous minor penalties but killed the entire two minutes as Paliotta made a key block midway through the 5-on-3. UVM's penalty kill is now 11-for-11 through three games.
 
Santaguida took over in the third period, robbing Perry D'Arrisso at the five minute mark on a wide open one-timer at the top of the crease. Santaguida then stuffed Joe Zarbo at the right post as he tried to sneak the puck in at the edge of the crease. The sophomore made 11 saves in the final frame and UVM held on to maintain a perfect record on the season.
 
The Catamounts return to Hockey East play next Saturday (Oct. 25) with a home game against new league member UConn at 7:05 p.m. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. on WVMT 620-AM and SportsJuice.com with Alastair Ingram on the call, and a free live video stream is available at CatamounTV.com.
 
UVM will host a Student Alumni Association Giveaway at the game against UConn. Saturday will also be Poster Day featuring a Post-Game Autograph session with the team presented by the UPS Store Downtown.