BURLINGTON, Vt. – Theresa Schafzahl scored twice for the 11th ranked Catamounts as they battled from behind on two separate occasions to earn a 3-3 tie with New Hampshire Friday night in Hockey East action from Gutterson Fieldhouse. The Wildcats won the shootout 2-1 to earn the extra league point. Vermont's single point combined with UConn's overtime loss to No. 5 Northeastern means the Catamounts have clinched home-ice in Hockey East Quarterfinals for the third consecutive season.

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COACH'S QUOTE
"Tough to not get the outcome we wanted after generating so much offense," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "We battled back a couple of times but couldn't put the game away. Credit to UNH's goalie for a great game and we will simply need to be better tomorrow." 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With the Catamounts outshooting the Wildcats 14-4 UNH found the back of the net on a fortuitous deflection. Kyla Bent fired a shot from the point that a Vermont defender blocked high into the air. UVM's Jessie McPherson never saw it and it bounced off her back and in for Bent's fifth goal of the season.
• Midway through the second period Schafzahl knotted the game at one apiece with an absolute snipe in transition. On a two-on-two rush Schafzahl unleashed a snap shot just under the crossbar for her 17th goal of the season at the 9:39 mark of the middle frame. Corinne McCool and Sini Karjalainen earned assists on the tally.
• Just 80 seconds later Natálie Mlynková put the Catamounts ahead with a shorthanded marker. On a one-on-one with a UNH defender Mlynková dangled and cut to the middle of the slot before firing a wrist shot past UNH's Ava Boutilier. Mlynková's second shorthanded tally of the season was assisted by Sara Levesque.
• With 3:37 to play in the middle frame UNH's Jada Christian tied things up on a breakaway with her third goal of the season.
• UNH appeared to score the game-winner late in the third period on the power play. Gabby Jones slotted home her fifth goal of the season with just 2:18 left in regulation.
• The lead didn't last very long. Off the ensuing faceoff UVM took control and pushed forward. From a near impossible angle in the corner Schafzahl unleashed an unbelievable wrist shot that found the only part of the net left open to tie things at three just 14 seconds after Jones go-ahead tally.
• In the overtime session, the Catamounts outshot UNH 7-1 but couldn't solve Boutilier.
• Tynka Pátková scored for Vermont in the shootout and Jessie McPherson (14 Saves) made three stops but UNH's Brianna Brooks posted the shootout winner to give the Wildcats the extra lead point.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Theresa Schafzahl led all skaters with six shots on goal Friday evening. It was her first two-goal game for the Catamounts since November 17.
• After Friday's action in Hockey East the Catamounts remain in second place with 48 points. They sit two points ahead of No. 13 Providence and five clear of Boston College.
• With today's 3-3 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $225 to Special Olympics Vermont. Community Bank, N.A. donates $75 per goal to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal the men's and women's team scores this season.

UP NEXT
Vermont is back in action tomorrow afternoon as they will face the Maine Black Bears on Senior Day presented by the UVM Alumni Association at 3 p.m. in the Catamounts regular season home finale.
 
Saturday's contest like all Hockey East games will air on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call. Vermont's Senior Day matchup will also air live on TSN+ in Canada. The games will also be available on a pay-per-view basis outside of North America at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/hockeyeast. Subscriptions to the service are available for $9.99 USD per month or $4.99 USD for individual games.
 
HOCKEY EAST QUARTERFINALS SET FOR SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25 AT 1 PM
Vermont will host the Hockey East Quarterfinals at Gutterson Fieldhouse for the third consecutive season. Action is scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 1 p.m. Tickets are available now at https://go.uvm.edu/23qtr.
 
The regular season will wrap up on February 18, stay tuned to UVMAthletics.com for updates on who the Catamounts will face. Like all regular season action in Hockey East the opening round, quarterfinals and semifinals will air live on ESPN+. The Hockey East Championship is scheduled for Saturday, March 4 at noon and the game will air live nationally on ESPNU.  

The Windjammer Inn and Conference Center is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program