FINAL SCORE: Merrimack 5, Vermont 2
BURLINGTON Vt. – Merrimack scored four second period goals to secure the 5-2 win over Vermont Friday during Vermont Night presented by Vermont Federal Credit Union from Gutterson Fieldhouse. With the loss, the Catamounts fell to 11-13-3 overall and 5-9-3 in league action.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"An all-around poor game from us, said Head Coach Steve Wiedler. "That's on me. Our team didn't come close to getting the job done. "Our details and habits were non-existent. We didn't execute on effort plays like back checks. That starts and ends with the head coach. Period stop."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• 0:26 into the opening puck drop, Merrimack found the back of the net first, however, under further review, the play was offsides resulting in the goal being called back, knotting the game back at 0-0.
• After a scoreless first period, both offenses started to heat up. Merrimack opened scoring 3:24 into the second frame, only four seconds into the first power play of the period. One minute later, UVM would fall victim to an own goal, finding themselves in a two-goal hole early in the second.
• The Catamounts quickly bounced back thanks to Chris Theodore burying his fifth goal of the season after finding the rebound off Massimo Lombardi's wrap around attempt. Vermont narrowed Merrimack's lead, 2-1.
• Merrimack regained the two-goal lead 10:04 into the period after capitalizing on a two-on-one opportunity with short ice, resulting in Frank Djurasevic scoring backdoor, his third career goal. Merrimack led 3-1.
• Zach Bookman scored his fourth goal of the season, shorthanded, after making a nifty forehand-backhand move on the goalkeeper prior to being fed by Djurasevic. Merrimack's lead rose to 4-1.
• Vermont stormed back, scoring on the power play 18:58 into the second period when Theodore corralled the loose puck from the hashmarks and rapidly snapped the puck into the wide-open net, scoring his second goal of the game, and cutting the deficit to 4-2 heading into second intermission. Timofei Spitserov and Ryan Miotto were awarded assists on the goal.
• Adam Arvedson scored an empty net goal for Merrimack 16:51 into the final frame, sealing the deal and earning Merrimack the 5-2 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• With tonight's 5-2 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $150 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.
• Theodore tallied two goals in Friday's matchup, his first ever multi-goal game in a Catamounts uniform.
• Miotto registered his third multi-point game of the season, earning two assists versus Merrimack, the first time he's registered two or more assists in the same game as a Catamount.
• UVM out shot Merrimack 30-23.
• Theodore led all Catamounts in shots, totaling five throughout the game.

UP NEXT
Vermont faces off against Merrimack again tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in the second game of their two-game series for Team IMPACT Night presented by Inspired Closets from Gutterson Fieldhouse. Programming throughout the game will highlight the various partnerships UVM Athletics has through Team IMPACT. Saturday's contests will air live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call. As always, the games will also be broadcast live on WVMT with the voice of the Catamounts Adam Lafleur in the Handy Toyota Broadcast Booth.