FINAL SCORE: Providence 3, Vermont 2
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Despite Vermont (12-14-4, 6-9-3 HEA) outshooting Providence (9-17-2, 6-10-2 HEA) 42-15 throughout the contest on Saturday afternoon from Gutterson Fieldhouse, it was the Friars that skated away with the 3-2 victory over UVM during Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Hockey can be a cruel game at times and today was one of those games," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "We made some adjustments from yesterday and our team couldn't have played any better today. From the drop of the puck, we were focused and played great hockey for 60 minutes. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough on the scoreboard, but I am confident that we know we can play at the level we played at today. Next weekend is huge for us and we will be ready."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont opened scoring 4:28 into the first frame when Lauren O'Hara fed Stella Retrum a pass in front of the net, electing to slap a shot on goal, getting a kind bounce off a Providence defender that made the puck roll into the net, securing her 11th goal of the year, gaining the early 1-0 lead. Kaylee Lewis was awarded the secondary assist on UVM's opening goal.
• Providence bounced back 10:07 into the second frame while being on a power play, seeing Audrey Knapp score her seventh goal of the season, knotting the contests at 1-1.
• The Friars doubled up on the scoreboard 1:50 later, this time getting a goal from reigning Hockey East Player of the Year, Reichen Kirchmair, finding the back of the net for the 10th time this season, giving Providence the 2-1 advantage.
• The Catamounts fired off seven more shots on goal before the end of the middle frame, generating numerous scoring opportunities, but Hope Walinksi stood her ground, rallying Providence into the final period with the one-goal lead.
• Vermont knotted the game on the power play 13:50 into the final period, seeing Ashley Kokavec send a pass from the point down to Lewis who wheeled her way up and to the slot where she unleashed a shot on net. Walinksi made the initial save, but Josie Hemp was there to clean up the rebound, sniping the top left corner, scoring her fifth goal of the season, tying the score at 2-2.
• Providence scored less than three minutes later, regaining the lead thanks to Emma Hofbauer netting her fourth goal of the season, propelling the Friars in front, 3-2.
• The Catamounts battled hard down the stretch for an equalizer, but the Friars' defense stayed strong, denying any Vermont opportunity as Providence was able to skate away with the 3-2 win and ultimately the weekend sweep.

 
ISNIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Retrum scored her 11th goal of the season on Saturday, tying a career high, while also adding seven shots on goal.
• Hemp secured her fifth goal of the season, third power play goal of the season, while adding three shots on goal against Providence on Saturday.
• Lewis recorded two assists, her second multi-assist game of the season. Lewis also added five shots on goal.
• O'Hara extended her point streak to four games, notching one assist. O'Hara also won a game-high 14 faceoffs.
• Kokavec tallied one assist, her 13th helper of the season, while leading a game-high eight shots on goal, a career high.
• Natalie Zarcone earned a team-high three blocked shots.
• UVM outshot Providence 42-15.
• Vermont won 32 faceoffs to Providence's 22.
• With tonight's 3-2 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $100 to Special Olympics Vermont. Community Bank, N.A. donates $50 per goal to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal the men's and women's team scores this season.

 
UP NEXT
The Catamounts will look to continue their four game homestand from Gutterson Fieldhouse starting on Thursday (Feb. 5) hosting Boston University at 6 p.m. during the teams annual Rally Against Cancer game presented by Mascoma Bank. Fans can receive a free Rally Against Cancer rally towel, courtesy of Mascoma Bank. Additionally, for every fan in attendance, Mascoma will donate $1 back to the UVM Cancer Center. Marketing will have ribbon pins and "I Rally For" sheets to fill out and hold up during the game. Marketing will also be hanging these sheets up for fans to see throughout the arena. Get your tickets here!
 
On Saturday (Feb. 7), Vermont will welcome Northeastern to Gutterson Fieldhouse for the annual Pack the Gut Challenge presented by Windjammer. Help us break our attendance record of 2705! Puck drop is slated for 5 p.m. Fans who donate a new or gently used blanket can be entered in a raffle to win a Yeti tumbler and a Windjammer gift card, courtesy of Community Bank & the Windjammer. Community Bank will donate $5 to Spectrum for each blanket donation. Get your tickets here!
 
For news and updates about the Vermont women's hockey program, follow @UVMwhockey on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.
 
The Windjammer Inn and Conference Center is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program