FINAL SCORE: UConn 4, Vermont 1
STORRS, Conn. – UConn's Andrew Lucas scored the game-winning goal with 6:07 left in regulation to lift the eight-seeded Huskies in a 4-1 win over the nine-seed Vermont Wednesday night in the Hockey East Opening Round from the Toscano Family Forum. The Huskies advance to face top-ranked Boston College Saturday in the Hockey East Quarterfinals.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"It hurts a lot whenever a season comes to an end," said Head Coach Steve Wiedler. "I thought our guys showed up and battled. That game could have gone either way, but once they get the score to 2-1 with six minutes left in the third we have to press for offense and take more risks. It wasn't our night. We had grade A chances and didn't bury. That's hockey."
 
"I'm proud of this group," continued Wiedler. "We came together under extremely trying circumstances and they pushed the program forward despite all of that adversity. We took a small step forward. We're certainly not a finished product, but we have laid a foundation to build upon."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Huskies opened the scoring with 4:32 to play in the first period. Matthew Wood drew the first penalty of the game and then capitalized on the ensuing power play. After a series of big saves from Vermont's Gabe Carriere Wood delivered from the top of the slot with a low shot just inside the post. Wood now has six goals in his last four games.
• Thomas Sinclair equalized for the Catamounts just 2:19 into the second period. Jérémie Bucheler checked a UConn defender in the UVM zone and pushed the puck to Sinclair who pushed in transition. Sinclair entered the UConn zone on a two-on-two rush and blew a shot past the Huskies Arsenii Sergeev for his fifth goal of the season.
• UConn broke the tie on its second power play opportunity late in the third period. From the point Lucas' shot found the back of the net through a series of traffic in front of Carriere. Lucas' fifth goal of the season was assisted by Jake Richard and Wood.
• Exactly two minutes later during a period of four-on-four play UConn doubled its advantage with Harrison Rees third goal of the season. With the extra space in four-on-four Rees drove to the net cutting down the wing, Carriere made an initial save but Rees tapped home his own rebound in midair to make it 3-1 with 4:07 to play.
• Joey Muldowney was awarded an empty-net tally with 49 seconds left in regulation after he was taken down with a clear scoring opportunity.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Gabe Carriere made 23 saves between the pipes for Vermont. He started every game for UVM but one this season making 897 saves.
• Chris Theodore led all Catamounts with five shots on goal Wednesday.
• With tonight's 4-1 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $75 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.

Handy Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the UVM men's hockey program