FINAL SCORE: No. 7 Providence 2, Vermont 1
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A two-goal second period was the edge that the seventh-ranked Providence Friars (16-4-0, 10-3-0 WHEA) needed to defeat the Vermont Catamounts (6-11-4, 4-8-2 WHEA) Sunday afternoon at Schneider Arena.
 
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Box Score

COACH'S QUOTE
"Today was a very different game from yesterday - a tight checking game that had a playoff feel," said head coach Jim Plumer. "We played right with the No. 7 team in the country for 120-plus minutes this weekend and again I am proud of their resilience and ability to execute at a high level. We have a lot of great hockey ahead of us in the next few weeks and we are excited for the challenge."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• With zeroes on the board after the first period, Providence's Whitney Dove opened the scoring with 10:27 left in the middle frame. After receiving a pass from Hayley Lunny, Dove snuck a shot just inside the right post seconds after the Friars' power play expired.
• Emily Landry added to Providence's lead 1:24 later when she made a nifty move around a Catamount defender and fired a shot on goal that was saved by Melissa Black (23 saves). The UVM goaltender kicked out a rebound that was subsequently batted home by Landry for her third marker of the season.
• With 1:53 left in the 2nd period, Maude Poulin-Labelle's third goal of the season cut the lead in half. Val Caldwell swatted the puck to the rookie defender who quickly wristed a shot that fooled Madison Myers (14 saves) in net. Alyssa Holmes was credited with the secondary assist.
• UVM had its chances in the third period to tie the game. Late in the frame, Ève-Audrey Picard attempted a wraparound that snuck under the pads of Myers, but the puck was cleared away by a Friars defender. Theresa Schafzahl drove the net hard with 1:20 left and tried to slip a shot under the pads of the Providence goaltender, but was denied.

NOTES

• Vermont killed off all six of the Friars' power-play opportunities, which improves their penalty kill rate to 90.5% (67-74) on the season. The special teams unit now sits second in Hockey East and fifth in the country.

 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Catamounts hit the ice Friday (Jan. 11) and Saturday (Jan. 12) when they host the Merrimack Warriors for the first home series of 2019. Friday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m. while Saturday's start time is slated for 4 p.m. Kids are encouraged to stick around after Saturday's game for a post-game press conference. The young fans will receive a Vermont credential for this exclusive opportunity to be able to ask the players any questions they have.

The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the 2018-19 women's hockey season