Rich Gagnon

Box Score

Vermont UVM 1-10-2

UMass Lowell UML 8-8-1

Vermont UVM

1-10-2

Final

Mar. 10, 2021

UMass Lowell UML

8-8-1

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	F
Vermont UVM	1	1	1	3
UMass Lowell UML	0	4	1	5

Game Recap: Men's Ice Hockey | 3/10/2021 8:55:00 PM | Nich Hall

Vermont Falls at UMass Lowell in Hockey East Opening Round

LOWELL, Mass. – Vermont's 2020-21 season came to an end Wednesday evening as they fell 5-3 to the seven-seed UMass Lowell River Hawks in the Hockey East Opening Round from the Tsongas Center.

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COACH'S QUOTE
"The wins and losses column might not reflect the steps we have taken this year but our staff and our players can see the strides this group is taking," said Head Coach Todd Woodcroft. "Growth itself is an interesting word for us - we are growing in the way we do all things here - together. We also believe that progress itself is not linear - and success is measured by our resilience and competitiveness, two words that have defined us since the start of this season. We understand where we have to get better but also appreciate the foundation that is being built."

"On a personal note, I would like to thank all our seniors for their time at UVM," continued Woodcroft. "Each of them has left a positive mark on our program and all the players that come after them will have a high standard to meet. To have accomplished what they have and to finish in a season like this is a true testament to what character is. Thank you to Owen Grant, Christian Evers, Bryce Misley, Vlad Dzhioshvili, Ace Cowans, Tristan Mullin, Alex Esposito, Cory Thomas and Matt Beck."

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Catamounts came out strong in the first period and after they were awarded the first power play of the game UVM generated five shots on goal providing momentum that they carried throughout the opening frame.
UVM took the lead with 2:31 left in the first period. Vlad Dzhioshvili knocked down and intercepted a UML pass in the neutral zone and Alex Esposito carried the puck into the River Hawks zone. Esposito cut towards the net and waited as long as he could before firing a cross-ice pass to Jacques Bouquot who one-timed home his second goal of the season to give UVM the lead.
The River Hawks equalized 2:50 into the second period. Nolan Sawchuck scored his first career goal for UMass Lowell. Off a faceoff win Sawchuck's slap shot from the point found the back of the net through traffic.
UMass Lowell took their first lead of the afternoon with another goal from a defenseman with 10:47 left in the middle frame. A River Hawks shot bounced off defenders in front of the UVM net and landed perfectly on the stick of Anthony Baxter who beat UVM's Gabe Carriere with a quick shot before he could recover.
UMass Lowell's Matt Brown scored twice for the River Hawks 3:47 apart in the middle of the second period to stretch the advantage to three goals at 4-1.
Down three and on the penalty kill late in the second UVM needed a spark and Bryce Misley provided it. After a Lowell player's stick broke, Misley took advantage and pushed ahead on a shorthanded breakaway. Misley picked the corner with a perfect wrist shot for UVM's first shorthanded tally of the season with 36 seconds left in the second.
UMass Lowell's Seth Barton reestablished the River Hawks three-goal edge 3:05 into the third period with his second goal of the season.
Once again, the Catamounts resiliency shown through, just 27 seconds later Simon Boyko made it 5-3. Boyko chased down a Christian Evers pass that headed towards the UMass Lowell net. UML's Owen Savory stopped the puck to play it to a teammate but Boyko was on him immediately and poked it home for his second goal of the season.
Minutes later Savory redeemed himself with his toughest save of the game robbing Tristan Mullin on a two-on-one. Misley fed a perfect pass to Mullin and his one-timer was blocked by a sprawled Savory.
Vermont pulled its goalie for an extra-attacker over the final 1:01 of game action but couldn't solve Savory again.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

With tonight's score of 5-3 Community Bank, N.A. will be adding a donation of $225 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!
Tristan Mullin led all skaters with five shots on goal Wednesday.
Andrew Lucas blocked a team-high two shots Wednesday. The River Hawks and Catamounts each blocked 11 as a team.
UVM is now 8-5 all-time in Hockey East Opening Round contests and 3-3 on the road.
Tristan Mullin, Cory Thomas and Christian Evers each skated in their 100th collegiate game Wednesday.