Box Score FINAL SCORE: #2 Northeastern 3, Vermont 1
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The second-ranked Northeastern Huskies scored the first two goals Friday night and held on late to defeat Vermont 3-1 in Hockey East action from Gutterson Fieldhouse on Military Appreciation Night presented by Milton CAT. With the win, the Huskies are now 16-1-1 this season while the Catamounts fall to 6-3-0.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score (.pdf) | CatamounTV: Highlights
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"What a great hockey game at Gutterson tonight," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "We took some lumps early in the game but the players really battled and took the momentum for most of the third period when we had some great chances to tie the game. Northeastern is such a complete team but it was great to see us be able to compete at their level. We are definitely looking forward to the rematch tomorrow."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont's Jessie McPherson made a pair of saves during a Northeastern power play and nine during the first period as the teams skated to a scoreless opening frame.
• The Catamounts opened the second period on the power play for 1:39 but weren't able to convert. As Northeastern's Skylar Fontaine returned to the ice the Huskies broke in on a three-on-one rush. Molly Griffin passed over to Tessa Ward who one-timed home her fifth goal of the season.
• The Huskies doubled their lead with 5:24 left in the second frame. Northeastern's Megan Carter fired a slap shot and Veronika Pettey redirected the shot in the slot and it just snuck past McPherson to make it 2-0.
• Corrine McCool cut the Huskies lead in half 4:20 into the third period. Bella Parento fed the puck down low to Hailey Burns and Burns cut towards the Northeastern net. NU defenders deflected the puck away but McCool calmly gathered the loose puck in the slot, turned and fired a quick wrist shot the beat Northeastern's Aerin Frankel for McCool's fourth goal of the season.
• Late in the third period the Catamounts had several great chances but they couldn't solve Frankel again. Friday night marked the 10th consecutive start for Frankel where she's only given up one goal.
• Northeastern defenseman Megan Carter closed out the scoring with an empty-netter with 1:27 left in regulation. Her fifth goal of the season was unassisted.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Theresa Schafzahl had a game-high six shots Friday evening.
• Entering the final day of the regular season the Catamounts sit in fourth place with a Hockey East Power Index (HEPI) of 53.59. Boston University sits in fifth place with a HEPI of 52.18. BU hosts No. 6 Boston College at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. The top-four seeds in Hockey East will host quarterfinal games on Sunday, February 28.
• With today's score of 3-1 Community Bank, N.A. will be adding a donation of $75 to Special Olympics Vermont. Cheer on our Catamounts as they go for the win while creating a special bond with community members! Thank you Community Bank, N.A. for your support of our UVM and Special Olympics athletes! 

WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts are back at it tomorrow at 3 p.m. as they face No. 2 Northeastern on Senior Day presented by the UVM Alumni Association. Saturday's game is also the Catamounts Cancer Awareness game presented by SD Ireland to benefit the University of Vermont Cancer Center.
 
Fans can catch all the action including a postgame ceremony for the Vermont seniors for free at go.uvm.edu/csl.