FINAL SCORE: Vermont 5, Clarkson 2
POTSDAM, N.Y. – Five different Catamounts scored goals and senior goalie
Mike Santaguida made 35 saves, leading Vermont to a 5-2 season-opening victory over former ECAC rival Clarkson on Friday night at Cheel Arena.
Travis Blanleil registered the game-winning goal and an assist for his second career multi-point game, while rookie
Derek Lodermeier collected a pair of assists in his NCAA debut.
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"We played a really strong game from start to finish," said head coach
Kevin Sneddon. "There was a lot of emotion during the week but Blanleil and the seniors did a good job of controlling the bench and teaching the younger guys different roles. From a hockey perspective, I'm really proud."
Vermont struck quickly just 2:10 into the season as Lodermeier sprung Blanleil for a 2-on-1 into the Clarkson zone. Blanleil delayed before feeding a pass to the edge of the crease for
Ori Abramson, who ramped the puck into the roof of the net with his backhand. The goal was Abramson's second career tally, while Lodermeier picked up his first collegiate point.
The remainder of the first period was dominated by special teams with 13 total penalties called. Santaguida was perfect in the opening frame with 13 saves, including a sprawling pad stop at the right post on a late power play.
The Catamount penalty kill became the story of the second period, killing off 43 seconds of 5-on-3 to begin the frame. UVM then denied Clarkson on another two-man advantage for 1:19 before the five-minute mark to retain the lead.
Jarrid Privitera punctuated the final kill of the period with a diving block on a center point drive from Golden Knight captain James de Haas.
Clarkson finally equalized four minutes into the third period when Jordan Boucher fired a one-timer into the upper right corner off a centering pass from Nic Pierog.
The Catamounts responded 1:13 later on the power play.
Rob Darrar directed a shot on target from the slot, and the rebound found
Brian Bowen at the back door. Bowen fluttered the puck past Jake Kielly (26 save) from the left doorstep before the rookie could recover.
Max Daigle posted his first career point with the second assist.
Vermont doubled the lead at 8:42 of the third as
Tom Forgione wristed a quick shot wide of the left post after a feed from Lodermeier. The puck came off the end boards to the right doorstep, and Blanleil finished on his forehand for a 3-1 cushion.
Boucher's second goal of the night at 11:42 came on the power play and ended a run of nine consecutive Vermont penalty kills. UVM won its third consecutive season opener.
Brady Shaw restored the two-goal lead with three and half minutes left after picking off a clearance in the Clarkson slot. Shaw deked to his backhand and stuffed the puck under Kielly's left pad for an unassisted tally.
Jarrid Privitera sealed the win less than a minute, finishing a rebound from the top of the crease to follow a shot from linemate
Conor O'Neil.
UVM received points from 11 of its 18 skaters in the opener and closed the night 9-for-10 on the penalty kill.
Vermont and Clarkson match up again on Saturday (Oct. 8) at 7:05 p.m. in the home opener at Gutterson Fieldhouse. Tickets can be purchased at UVMathletics.com/Tickets. Free live video is available at CatamounTV.com and pre-game radio coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. on WVMT 620-AM.
Handy Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the 2016-17 men's hockey season
