Vermont upset No. 9 Providence Saturday at Gutterson Fieldhouse, winning 4-3, after tying 2-2 the night before.
xThe Catamounts fell behind three separate times in the game, but thanks to big contributions from their special teams, as well as forward Craig Puffer, UVM earned its eighth win of the season.
Vermont scored three times on the man-advantage with Puffer and fellow Catamount Alex Esposito tallying the power play goals.
Friar defenseman Jacob Bryson scored 3:28 into the game to put Providence up 1-0 early on.
Vermont’s first goal was scored on a crafty forehand-backhand move on a shorthanded breakaway by Derek Lodermeier., but Scott Conway scored less than a minute later to give Providence the 2-1 advantage, before Puffer quickly responded with his first of the night to knot the score right back up at 2-2.
In the second period, Bryson and Puffer each scored their second goal of the game just two minutes apart.
With under seven minutes remaining in the third, Esposito put home the eventual game-winning goal on another power play, with assists going to Liam Coughlin and Matt Alvaro.
The win extends Vermont’s regulation unbeaten streak to six games, and it looks to continue to roll against New Hampshire this Friday on the road.
Northeastern cruises past Boston College
Northeastern entered this year’s annual Beanpot tournament as the favorites and the Huskies showed why in their commanding 3-0 win over Hockey East rival Boston College in the semifinals on Monday.
Northeastern senior Dylan Sikura got things started early by sneaking one past Eagles’ goalie Joseph Woll just under 10 minutes into the first period. The game remained 1-0 until Northeastern captain Nolan Stevens scored off a rebound with 4:26 remaining in the second period.
The Huskies took total control of the game with Adam Gaudette’s goal late in the third period. The goal was his third point of the game, adding to his impressive total of 42 on the season, which is best in the nation.
Northeastern will face Boston University in the Beanpot finals on Feb. 12.
Boston University pulls out double OT win vs. Harvard
Boston University came through in the clutch against Harvard in a double overtime nail-biter in the Beanpot semifinals at TD Garden Monday night.
BU freshman Ty Amonte, son of former BU and NHL star Tony Amonte, scored the game winner just under two minutes into the second overtime with a short side snipe that beat Crimson goalie Merrick Madsen.
The win gives the Terriers six in a row and 15 total on the year.
BU was the first to get on the board after a power play goal by freshman Logan Cockerill on a quick one-timer off a rebound with 11:58 remaining in the first period.
In the second period, Harvard dominated action, gaining a 32-17 lead in shots on goal, but it took until there was nearly five minutes left in the period before Ty Pelton-Byce tied the game on a shot from the slot off the slick assist from Ryan Donato.
BU captain Brandon Hickey got things started early in the third, putting one home off a rebound just 32 seconds into the period. Harvard bounced back though and answered with a goal from freshman Jack Badini less than two minutes later.
Strong goaltending kept the game tied at 2-2 until Amonte’s game winner, which sends BU to the Beanpot finals against Northeastern on Monday.
Seamus Kelley can be reached at [email protected].
