FINAL SCORE (OT): Vermont 1, No. 10 Boston University 1
BOSTON – Ève-Audrey Picard scored her ninth goal of the season and
Madison Litchfield made 28 saves as the Vermont women's hockey team secured a 1-1 tie with No. 10 Boston University at Walter Brown Arena on Sunday.
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Highlights (via BU)
Box Score
Vermont's second draw in as many days puts the Catamounts at 10-7-7 overall and 6-3-5 in Hockey East. BU is now 12-8-4 and 7-7-3 versus league foes. In addition, the game wrapped up the regular season series between the sides in which the Green and Gold went 1-0-2 against its conference rival. With that outcome, UVM went undefeated in the series against BU for the first time in program history.
"These were two fantastic hockey games played at playoff pace and intensity," said head coach
Jim Plumer. "I am so proud of this team and it's just amazing to see how far we have progressed this season. We've won the season series against both BU and Northeastern and we are excited for the challenge of seeing Boston College next weekend."
The Terriers struck early, grabbing a 1-0 lead just 54 seconds into the game. Sammy Davis dished to Mary Parker at the red line, setting her up to skate between two Catamounts and fire the puck home for her team-leading 18th goal of the season. Alexis Crossley was issued the secondary assist on the play, which ultimately proved to be Litchfield's only mistake of the afternoon. UVM proceeded to allow only three additional shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes.
Litchfield stepped up to deny the Terriers 25 more times from the second period onward, highlighted in part by a sprawling save with 12:50 left in the middle stanza. Parker sailed to the doorstep in an attempt for her second goal of the day, but Litchfield was there to smother the bouncing puck.
Picard then brought the Catamounts back even at one-apiece late in the second period. The freshman chased down a loose puck in the right corner, then headed toward the slot and beat Terriers netminder Victoria Hanson as she fell to her knees.
Cassidy Campeau was credited an assist. The goal culminated a period in which the Catamounts outshot their opponent by a 16-12 margin.
In overtime UVM had a chance for the game-winner when
Mackenzie MacNeil darted from the neutral zone along the wing and around a defender, but her shot ended up wide of the net. Less than 20 seconds later,
Sarah Kelly forced a turnover in the offensive zone and fired on goal, but Hanson would not give. She wrapped up the afternoon with 39 saves.
With Sunday's result, Vermont and BU remain in a tie for third place in Hockey East with 17 points apiece. UVM outshot the Terriers 40-29, while the Catamounts won 25-of-43 faceoffs led by Picard's 11-of-15 effort on the dot.
UVM now returns to Gutterson Fieldhouse and host No. 6 Boston College on Friday (Jan. 20) in a 1 p.m. matchup. Fans should note that Friday's game was originally scheduled for 2 p.m. before being moved up to the 1 p.m. slot.
The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the 2016-17 women's hockey season
