Liam Coughlin scored two goals in the first period, and Brendan Bradley added a goal and an assist, as the Vermont Catamounts blanked Maine 5-0 Friday night at Gutterson FieldHouse in Burlington in Game 1 of a best of three play-in Hockey East series.
Stefanos Lekkas got the shutout win in net for Vermont, stopping 31 shots.
Vermont scored three first period goals, and then Lekkas made some terrific saves in the second period, before Bradley scored his goal to make it 4-0 and put the game out of reach.
Rob McGovern made 30 saves in net for Maine. Both teams came up empty on the powerplay, as Maine was 0-3, and Vermont 0-2.
Maine will try to keep their season alive tomorrow night in Game 2 at 7:05 p.m.
