MEN'S HOCKEY NOTEBOOK
The 2020-21 men's hockey campaign continues this weekend as the Catamounts (0-2-0) host No. 12/11 Northeastern (2-1-1) at Gutterson Fieldhouse. Action is slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
 
Fans will be able to watch for free on CBS CollegeSportsLive. As always, the voice of the Catamounts, Michael Lehr, will air on WVMT (FM 96.3 / AM 620).
 
RELATED LINKS:
Watch (Free) | Listen | Game Notes (.pdf) | Weekly Press Conference 
 
HARMON A TWO-WAY PLAYER
On Sunday at No. 10 UMass senior goaltender Tyler Harmon earned the secondary assist on Alex Esposito's third period power play goal. His point was the first by a Vermont goalie since Brody Hoffman on March 15, 2014 against UMass Lowell in the Hockey East semifinals at TD Garden.
 
BOXING DAY BATTLE
Saturday will be the Catamounts first-ever game on December 26, commonly referred to as Boxing Day in Canada. Northeastern has played five games in program history on the 26th. The Huskies are 0-5-0 all-time on Boxing Day, their last matchup was an 11-6 loss to Harvard on December 26, 1962 in the Boston Arena Xmas College Tournament.
 
WELCOME TWO CATAMOUNT COUNTRY
This weekend will be the Catamounts first with two mid-season additions to the roster. Cornell graduate forward Tristan Mullin (#21) and freshman defenseman Cody Schiavon (#20) are eligible to play immediately.
 
Mullin was elected team captain of Cornell this season, over the last two seasons with the Big Red he had 44 points in 63 games. He led the Big Red with seven power play tallies during the 2019-20 campaign.
 
Schiavon was slated to join the Catamounts next fall but with the cancellation of the BCHL season due to COVID-19 he has enrolled early at UVM. Over the last four seasons he played 148 regular season games in the BCHL and served as team captain of the Surrey Eagles and the Trail Smoke Eaters
 
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
No. 11 Northeastern is 2-1-1 this season after a two-point home-and-home weekend against No. 13 Providence. The Huskies defeated PC 1-0 in a shootout, following a 3-3 tie at Matthews Arena last Saturday. On Sunday, the Huskies suffered their first loss of the season a 5-0 decision at Providence.
 
Freshman forward Steven Agriogianis leads the team in scoring with a team-high four assists and six points. His six points are tied for second in Hockey East amongst all first-year skaters.  Senior Zach Solow leads the way with three goals for the Huskies.
 
The Huskies primary strength in the early-going this season has been their power play. Northeastern has converted on 30% (6-20) of its opportunities, boasting the fourth best man-advantage in the NCAA. Northeastern scored all six of its power play goals in its season-opening two-game set against Merrimack.
 
The Huskies are missing two players currently competing at the 2021 World Junior Championship. Freshman forward Sam Colangelo is competing for the United States and freshman goaltender Devon Levi is expected to be the starter for Canada.
                                                      
SERIES HISTORY
The Catamounts lead the all-time series with Northeastern 34-29-7. Vermont swept the Huskies in late February last season defeating them 4-2 and 3-1 at Gutterson Fieldhouse in the Catamounts only Hockey East weekend sweep last year. Vermont's two wins ended a program record six-game win streak in the series for the Huskies. Vermont is 17-14-6 at home against Northeastern.
 
COACH MADIGAN GOT HIS COACHING START AT THE GUT
A Northeastern alum (1981-1985) Jim Madigan got his start in coaching under Mike Gilligan at Vermont. Madigan was an assistant coach at UVM during the 1985-1986 campaign before returning to NU in the same role from 1986-1993. The 85-86 Catamounts featured UVM Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman and UVM Associate Athletic Director Joe Gervais.
 
LUCAS NAMED SOPHOMORE CAPTAIN OF THE CATAMOUNTS
Defenseman Andrew Lucas is the 62nd captain in program history. He is also just the fourth sophomore captain in program history. Lucas joins Marshall Stevenson '66, Jaime Sifers '06 and H.T. Lenz '14 as sophomore captains of the Green & Gold. He skated in all 34 games last season as a freshman and led the team in scoring with 15 points.
 
DOVAR YOUNGEST PLAYER IN COLLEGE HOCKEY
2019-20 CCHL Rookie of the Year Dovar Tinling is the youngest player in college hockey at the age of 17. The next closest players are Michigan's Owen Power and Matty Beniers who are 18 and one month. At 17 he is the youngest Canadian NCAA player since Jonathan Toews and Simon Danis-Pepin dressed for North Dakota and Maine, respectively, in 2005-06.
 
In October Dovar was named to NHL Central Scouting's Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2021 NHL Draft. He is currently ranked as a second or third round candidate.
 
WOODCROFT NAMED ASSISTANT COACH WITH TEAM SWEDEN AT 2021 WJC
Todd Woodcroft has been named an assistant coach with the 2021 Sweden National Junior Team. In his role as assistant coach, Coach Woodcroft will help the team remotely, working specifically on pre-scouting the opponents and post-scouting all of Sweden's games.
 
The Sweden National Junior Team will take part in the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2020 – Jan. 5, 2021, in Edmonton, Alberta. All games will be held at Rogers Place the home of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. Sweden's opening game against the Czech Republic will air live on the NHL Network Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
BE A PART OF THE CROWD AT THE GUT THIS YEAR
Miss being in the stands at Gutterson Fieldhouse this season? You can still be a part of the action by purchasing a cutout version of yourself or pet to be displayed the entire season. For more information visit go.uvm.edu/cutouts.
 
Handy Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the 2020-21 men's hockey season