FINAL SCORE: #10 UMass 4, Vermont 0
AMHERST, Mass. – The tenth-ranked UMass Minutemen scored twice in the second and third periods as they defeated Vermont 4-0 Saturday night at the Mullins Center in the Catamounts season opener. With the win UMass improved to 3-3-1 on the season while Vermont fell to 0-1-0.  
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"For our first game there were many things to focus on as a new group, things to take away and make us better," said Head Coach Todd Woodcroft. "Most of our mistakes were "young mistakes" and I don't mean just our young players. Mistakes from just starting to play this season and with new teammates and new systems. Errors that players and coaches can see have a cost, decisions with or without the puck that have a cost. There is a whole level of play that we have to get to in order to have success, and we didn't get there today. It's all part of the process."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the first period Vermont's Tyler Harmon made 15 saves as the Catamounts withstood sustained pressure from the Minutemen.
• UMass opened the scoring 2:05 into the second frame with Cal Kiefiuk's third goal of the season. In transition Kiefiuk's attempt on net deflected off a Vermont defender in the slot and past Harmon.
• While killing off a five-minute Vermont power play the Minutemen struck shorthanded to double their lead late in the second. An outlet pass found Jake Gaudet and Oliver Chau on a two-on-one, Gaudet fed a quick pass to Chau and he one-timed it in for his second goal of the season. It was his first career shorthanded tally.
• UMass put the game out of reach 5:18 into the third period. Off a forced turnover Kiefiuk fed a behind the back pass to Matthew Kessel, who backhanded a shot in for his second goal of the campaign.
• With a late power play opportunity and the net empty for an extra attacker Bobby Trivigno added a shorthanded goal with 1:20 left in regulation for the Minutemen.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• UMass' Matt Murray made 15 saves earning his ninth career shutout. Vermont's Tyler Harmon made 30 for the Catamounts. It was the second time in Harmon's career making 30 or more saves.
• Jordan Kaplan, Will Zapernick, Mickey Burns, Dovar Tinling, Ray Vitolins, and Conner Hutchison made their debut in the green and gold.
• The Catamounts were 0 for 5 on the power play but also killed off four UMass opportunities with the man advantage.
• Vlad Dzhioshvili was the best Catamount in the faceoff circle, winning a team-high eight draws on 11 attempts.

WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts and Minutemen will face off again tomorrow night at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN. Fans outside of New England can watch a free live stream by clicking here. Fans can also listen to the contest on WVMT AM 620/96.3 FM with Michael Lehr on the call.
 
Handy Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the 2020-21 men's hockey season