The Vermont Catamounts had their first road trip of the season this weekend, as they traveled to Connecticut and left there with two wins and now a five-game winning streak. Once again, it would be Jessie McPherson who would be in the spotlight for UVM, but a few other faces would also get recognition over the weekend. Let’s take a look at how UVM has snuck its way into third place in Hockey East.
McPherson Gets Second Straight Shutout As McCool Extends Point Streak
All week, we expected this to be Vermont’s first real challenge and that’s exactly what we got. It would be Freshman goaltender Jessie McPherson who would make headlines for UVM, making 26 saves for her second consecutive shutout of her career. She becomes the first goaltender in UVM history to start her career with two straight shutouts.
Vermont would start off on the right foot, gaining momentum early in the first despite failing to score on a power play within the opening five minutes, but would carry that momentum into the second. It wouldn’t take long for UVM to get on the scoreboard in the middle frame, as Maude Poulin-Labelle would rip a shot on the power play past Samantha Carpentier-Yelle to give the Cats a 1-0 lead. That’s all the Catamounts would need offensively despite UConn coming alive on their power play opportunities, however, failing to convert on four chances.
Vermont would add an insurance goal late in the third, as Kristina Shanahan would feed POSITION Elice Murphy on a two on one for Murphy’s second goal of the season. Corrine McCool would be the only Catamount with a multi-point night, as she recorded two assists, extending her point streak from two games to three.
Vermont Erases Two Goal Deficit To Sweep UConn
The Catamounts would enter Saturday’s matinee looking to finish off their second straight weekend sweep after sweeping Holy Cross last weekend, however, the Cats had a rough opening frame. Walking into Saturday’s game, Vermont had not allowed a power play goal to an opponent, however, the tides would be turned in the matinee. UConn would have a strong first period and would get on the board at the 11:18 mark, courtesy of forward Viki Harkness, which would be the first power play goal allowed by the Catamounts this year.
It would also end McPherson’s shutout streak at 143:18. The penalty kill struggles would continue, as the Huskies would double their lead, as Morgan Wabick would find a loose puck, this allowing for her first of the season.
Vermont needed something to get some kind of momentum going and that’s exactly what they got with less than two minutes left in the second. Corinne McCool would remain red hot, as she would pick up a power play goal, this cutting the deficit in half to 2-1. The goal would extend McCool’s point streak to four games.
In the third, it would be last year’s UVM leading goal scorer, Theresa Schafzahl, who would help the Vermont Catamounts tie the game up at two apiece. It was the first five-on-five goal of the game, as the forward scored her first of the season. “Theresa Schafzahl doesn’t have a goal yet and I’m not the least bit worried that Theresa not gonna bust out here,” said head coach Jim Plumer during Thursday’s media availability.
Both teams would fail to find the mesh before the end of the third, sending the game into overtime. It would be a wonderful self-effort by Schafzahl with less than two minutes left in the extra frame that would complete the comeback, handing the Catamounts the victory.
Jessie McPherson would make 29 saves for her third straight win of the regular season. She was also named Hockey East Rookie of the Week after taking home Defensive Player of the Week a week prior. Maude Poulin-Labelle would also be acknowledged, as she named Player of the Week in Hockey East.