The Maine men’s hockey team battled to a 0-0 tie with #20 Vermont at Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington on Friday night. The Catamounts picked up the extra point in Hockey East by winning a shootout 2-1 in four rounds.
Vermont thought they had a goal in the first period, but Maine challenged the play and it was disallowed due to offsides. The best chances of the entire night came in the 3 on 3 five minute overtime. Will Gerrior had a look for the Black Bears in the low slot that was turned away 90 seconds into the extra session, and seconds later Lee Parks and Isa Parekh had a 2 on 1. Parks would attempt to pass it, but it was blocked by a Catamounts defenseman and goaltender Jacob Oster was able to cover it up. UVM also had a breakaway from Colin Kessler that was stopped by Albin Boija with just over a minute remaining. In the shootout, Kessler and Max Scott both scored for each team in the first three rounds. After Alexander Bales missed wide for Maine in the fourth round, Ethan Burroughs beat Boija to give the hosts two conference points on the night.
Oster made 23 saves for Vermont. The Catamounts, who went 0-3 on the powerplay, are now 5-3-2 and 4-1-2 in Hockey East. Boija made 20 stops for Maine. The Black Bears (5-5-1, 1-3-1 in league play) went 0-2 with their extra man opportunities and now have only scored five total goals in their last four games. The series concludes on Saturday evening at 5 p.m.
Photo from a home game earlier this season
