AMHERST, Mass. – For the second consecutive night, the Vermont men's hockey team overcame a three-goal deficit in the third period to earn a valuable league point at UMass in a 4-4 tie. Sophomore forwards Joel Määttä and Isak Walther had a goal and two assists as Vermont scored four third period goals. The Minutemen claimed the additional league point winning the shootout 2-0.

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Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"I'd prefer to talk about the whole weekend here tonight," Head Coach Todd Woodcroft said. "With a bare bones, sick as can be squad, we found a way to come back two games in a row down by three goals in the third period. Ties are never what we reach for - but to score four third period goals today, running on fumes, I am once again proud of this group's leadership and resilience. Furthermore, tonight, we scored two goals on our own net that were fluke plays - and while many people might write the game off at that point, this collection of fine young men kept fighting. Specifically, I am very pleased that we scored seven goals at five on five and gave up zero on the penalty kill these past two games. Six of the seven goals we scored this weekend we scored by underclassmen - and our veterans contributed with positive energy and real resolve. This was a great weekend for us to build off."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless opening frame Ryan Ufko found the back of the net for UMass 4:26 into the second period. Ufko fired a shot from the point that UVM's Gabe Carriere never saw through traffic.
• Cole O'Hara doubled the UMass advantage with 5:25 to play in the middle frame. Down low with a two-on-one opportunity O'Hara attempted a cross-crease pass that bounced off of a Vermont defender and in to make it 2-0.
• Ufko was the beneficiary of more puck luck 7:28 into the third period. He centered another pass in front of the Vermont net and once again it hit a Vermont skater and found the back of the net.
• Just 3:20 later though the Catamounts second comeback of the weekend began. Eric Gotz fired a shot from the point that hit Walther in front of UMass' Luke Pavicich. Walther went skate to stick with the puck and stashed home his team-leading seventh goal of the season.
• With 6:44 to go in regulation Thomas Sinclair made it a one-goal game. Finn Evans forced a turnover at the Vermont blueline and Sinclair broke into the UMass zone on a two-on-one with Timofei Spitserov. Sinclair looked to shoot and buried a shot just under the bar for his second goal of the season.
• Just 12 seconds later off the ensuing faceoff Määttä equalized for the Catamounts. Walther knocked down a pass from UMass' Pavicich and centered the puck into the slot. Joe Leahy one-timed the Walther feed on net and Pavicich made the initial stop but Määttä tapped home the game-tying goal on the doorstep. UMass switched goaltenders after the Määttä tally.
• Just 13 seconds after UVM tied the game Ufko completed a hat trick with another shot through traffic. From the top of the faceoff circle Ufko fired another shot with eyes that beat Carriere through a heavy screen in front.
• Vermont tied the game again with 2:59 to play in regulation off a won offensive zone faceoff. After winning a puck battle along the boards Määttä got the puck to Spitserov in the slot and he spun and shot in one motion surprising UMass' Henry Graham with the quick release for his third goal of the season.
• The Catamounts outshot UMass 3-2 in the overtime session but for the second straight night the game required a shootout to decide things. Ufko and Michael Cameron found the back of the net for UMass to take the shootout 2-0.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Catamounts have now earned seven league points in their last four Hockey East road games.
• With tonight's 4-4 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $300 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 returns to action next weekend on Saturday, February 18 as they host No. 20 Northeastern in their annual Rally Against Cancer Game presented by Mascoma Bank.
The Catamounts will wear special edition lavender jerseys that will be auctioned off.
 
Please consider making a gift to support the important work of the UVM Cancer Center. Your support is critical to providing top-notch clinical care, and advancing cancer research right here in our community. Mascoma Bank bolsters its support and commitment by pledging to match up to $10,000 for the Rally Against Cancer games through the month of February. Donate Here
 
If fans would like to learn more about how Mascoma Bank is partnering with UVM Athletics and the UVM Cancer Center, you can read a full press release about the partnership here - https://go.uvm.edu/okrdq.
 
Saturday's game will air live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call. It will also be available on a pay-per-view basis internationally 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. 
 
The voice of the Catamounts, Adam LaFleur, will broadcast the action from the Handy Toyota Broadcast Booth on WVMT (FM 96.3 / AM 620). As always, the game will also be available on the Varsity Network App.
 
 

Handy Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the 2022-23 men's hockey season