FINAL SCORE: Vermont 1, New Hampshire 0
DURHAM, N.H. – Blanka Škodová recorded a 25-save shutout and
Lily Humphrey delivered a late second-period goal as the Vermont Catamounts (5-2-4, 2-2-2 HEAW) blanked the New Hampshire Wildcats (6-5-2, 5-4-1 HEAW) on Saturday afternoon at the Whittemore Center.
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Box Score
COACH'S QUOTE
"This was our toughest weekend of the season to date and we really had to play a grinding game both days," said head coach
Jim Plumer. "Credit to UNH for their hard and work and style of play, and to our team for being able to win a tight game like this.
Blanka Škodová was outstanding for all 60 minutes today and
Lily Humphrey delivered a key goal. I'm proud of the team for their grit all weekend."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Hockey East foes skated to a scoreless first period as the Wildcats outshot the Catamounts 8-6 in the opening 20 minutes. Škodová made a key stop on a Meghara McManus breakaway to keep New Hampshire off the board.
- Vermont started the second period on the power play and nearly took the lead when Maude Poulin-Labelle crashed the net to bury a rebound chance, but was denied by Ava Boutilier (20 saves).
- Škodová continued to stifle the UNH offense as she stopped the Wildcats' top goal scorer McManus from point blank. Minutes later, she denied New Hampshire from capitalizing on three quick shots from just outside the crease.
- Humphrey opened the scoring with her fifth marker of the season. The rookie forward received a drop pass from captain Ali O'Leary and sent a wrist shot through traffic that fooled Boutilier. Corinne McCool had the secondary assist.
- Škodová fought off all seven shots faced in the third period to secure the shutout. With 10:14 left in regulation, UNH's Nicole Dunbar deflected a shot off the post and the Vermont goaltender slid across to deny multiple attempts at jamming the puck through.
- New Hampshire was on the power play for the final 1:06 and pulled Boutilier for the extra attacker, but UVM's penalty kill came in clutch with some important blocks to ensure the victory.
NOTES
- Škodová records her third career shutout and second against the Wildcats. The 25-save performance matches her highest total in a shutout, which was set in a 1-0 victory over New Hampshire last season.
- With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Make-A-Wish Vermont, bringing this year's total to 94 wins and $9,400.
UP NEXT
Vermont is on the road again next weekend when it visits a pair of Hockey East opponents. The Catamounts square off against the UConn Huskies at 6 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 15) at Freitas Ice Forum. UVM then heads further south to Providence on Sunday (Nov. 17) for a 1 p.m. contest against the Friars at Schneider Arena.
The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the 2019-20 women's hockey season
