WOMEN'S HOCKEY NOTEBOOK
After a record-breaking season last year the 13th-ranked Catamounts begin the 2022-23 campaign Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. as they host uOttawa in exhibition action from Gutterson Fieldhouse. The action will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call.
 
RELATED LINKS
Live Stats | Live Video: ESPN+ | Tickets
 
CATAMOUNTS RANKED IN PRESEASON POLL
For the first time in program history the Catamounts are ranked in the preseason poll in women's hockey. UVM checks in at No. 13 in the DCU/USCHO poll and is tied for 14th in the USA Today/USA Hockey poll.
 
VERMONT SELECTED SECOND IN HOCKEY EAST PRESEASON POLL
The Catamounts also received their highest ever ranking in the Hockey East Coaches' Preseason Poll. After finishing in second last season with a conference mark of 18-7-2 UVM was selected by the coaches to place second again this year. The reigning five-time defending champion Northeastern was picked first. The Catamounts were the only team in Hockey East last season to defeat the Huskies at Matthews Arena in league play.
 
SCOUTING THE GEE GEES
uOttawa is led by Head Coach Chelsea Grills who served as an assistant coach under Coach Plumer at Amherst College and Vermont (2012-13). In two full seasons with the Gee Gees she has compiled a record of 19-18-2.
 
uOttawa started their 2022-23 campaign with a 6-1 win over Ottawa-neighbor Carleton on September 14. Tonight, they host Queen's University in another exhibition tilt. Last season in an abbreviated in COVID campaign the Gee Gees finished fourth in the RSEQ, their conference.
 
SERIES HISTORY
uOttawa defeated Vermont 3-0 in the teams' only previous meeting, September 28, 2019. Vermont's senior class were first years in that exhibition match. Hailey Burns had a team-high five shots on goal in the contest.
 
CZECH-MATES EARN BRONZE
Vermont forwards Tynka Pátková & Natálie Mlýnková earned bronze medals at the 2022 IIHF Women's World Championships in Denmark last month. Czechia defeated Switzerland 4-2 in the bronze medal game behind two goals from Mlynková. It was Czechia's first-ever medal on the women's side. Former Catamount Blanka Škodová was also a member of the team.
 
There were three other current Catamounts in the tournament patrolling the blueline. First year Krista Parkkonen (Finland) made her World Championships debut while Sofie Skott (Denmark) and Sini Karjalainen (Finland) competed in their second World Championship at the senior level.
 
REGULAR SEASON OPENING WEEKEND ON TAP WITH RIT
The Catamounts will open the regular season next weekend with a two-game non-conference series with RIT. Friday night at 6 p.m. Vermont will face the Tigers on Opening Night presented by TD Bank. Saturday afternoon the teams will battle again at 2 p.m. Saturday will be Poster Day presented by UVM Print & Mail. The Catamounts will sign posters in the Gutterson lobby following the game.
 
PURCHASE WOMEN'S HOCKEY SEASON TICKETS
For the first time this season fans can purchase season tickets to the women's hockey campaign. Tickets for adults are $50 and for youth 17 and under it's just $25. Secure the best deal in college hockey by calling the ticket office at (802) 656-4410.
 
The Windjammer Inn and Conference Center is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program