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Maine Edges Vermont 3-1 in Men's Hockey

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Created on Thursday, 05 January 2012 04:11

Written by George Commo

Catamounts fall to 4-14-1... now 1-10-1 in Hockey East

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Joey Diamond's power play goal with six and a half minutes left in the second period proved to be the game-winner as Maine held off Vermont for a 3-1 win in Hockey East action at Alfond Arena on Wednesday night. The Catamounts fell to 4-14-1 (1-10-1 HEA) with the loss, while the Black Bears improved to 9-7-2 (6-6-1 HEA). It marked the final of three regular season meeting between the two schools.

“I couldn't be any more proud of our team right now, I thought it was like a playoff game with kids blocking shots left and right for both teams, finishing checks, doing all the little things,” said head coach Kevin Sneddon. “We're a team that's pretty depleted right now in terms of six or seven different players being out of the line up and we had guys step up and play some key minutes for us.”

Vermont opened the scoring late in the first period with effective puck movement on the power play. Kyle Reynolds curled near the top of the right faceoff circle and sent a pass across the slot to a pinching Drew MacKenzie. MacKenzie waited patiently and picked out Sebastian Stalberg at the far post. Stalberg collected the puck at the bottom of the right circle and fired a shot past Dan Sullivan to make it 1-0 at the 14:36 mark.

Roughly two and a half minutes later, Maine equalized after earning a power play of its own. Spencer Abbott wound up a slap shot from the high slot that was blocked by MacKenzie. Abbott gathered in the loose puck and sent a pass toward the left doorstep for Adam Shemansky, who tapped it in at the left post to knot the score at one. Abbott and Will O'Neill grabbed the assists on Shemansky's tally.

Early in the second period, the Catamounts killed off a 5-on-3 man advantage for 1:09 to keep the game tied. At the 12:19 mark, UVM was called for too many men on the ice to give the Black Bears their seventh power play of the night. On the ensuing power play, Brian Flynn found Mark Anthoine in the right wing corner and the sophomore whipped a quick pass in front to Diamond. The junior was waiting at the left post to stuff it past Madore into the open goal for a 2-1 lead.

Vermont attempted to battle back in the third but couldn't find a way past Sullivan. The Catamounts pulled Madore with under a minute remaining in regulation, but Flynn found space in the UVM zone and floated a backhand into the empty net for an insurance goal with 16 seconds left. Madore finished the night with a season-high 40 saves, while Sullivan stopped 25 shots for the victory.

“It's tough to lose, but it's a great sign that Rob Madore has put together three excellent games for us. We want to bottle that and save it for the rest of the year, I thought he was sensational tonight,” said Sneddon. “Again, a good hockey game and unfortunately we're on the losing side again, but in terms of how our team played I really couldn't be any more proud of the way they competed.”

Both teams now head to Boston for the Sun Life Frozen Fenway 2012 doubleheader this Saturday (Jan. 7) at Fenway Park. UVM plays UMass Amherst at 4 p.m., which will be followed by New Hampshire vs. Maine at 7:30 p.m. The Boston Bruins face the Vancouver Canucks at 1 p.m. at TD Garden in Boston, and all three games will be televised on NESN as part of a “Hockey Day in New England”.

Fans are encouraged to attend a pre-game reception at Game On! sponsored by the UVM Athletic Department and the UVM Alumni Association. Game On! will host fans from noon to 3 p.m. and is located at 82 Lansdowne Street next to Fenway Park. There will be a short program to welcome fans at 2 p.m. with light appetizers, full menu, and a cash bar available. Fans can also watch Tim Thomas '97 and the Bruins take on the Canucks.

The first one hundred fans will receive their choice of a gold Adidas beanie cap or a green and gold scarf to wear at the game, compliments of the Athletic Department and UVM Alumni Association. The UVM Bookstore will also be at the pre-game fan event selling Catamount merchandise.  The Sun Life Frozen Fenway 2012 Throwback Jersey from Reebok commemorating the Vermont 1970's era when the team joined the Division I ranks will be available for purchase. 

Fans who are unable to attend the event can order replicas of this one-time, special edition jersey online through the UVM Bookstore, or by calling 1-800-331-7305. The game-worn jerseys from Sun Life Frozen Fenway 2012 will be auctioned off via UVMathletics.com after the event. For questions about any of the events planned around Sun Life Frozen Fenway 2012, please contact Assistant Athletic Director Krista Balogh at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 802-656-1744.

NOTES: Vermont has scored a power play goal in five straight games and is 5-18 over its last three contests … UVM is now 3-3-0 in its last six games Alfond Arena and owns an all-time record of 7-6-1 against Maine on the road … Rob Madore posted his first 40-save effort since stopping 43 shots against Boston University last season on Feb. 25 … Sebastian Stalberg ranks second in Hockey East with 13 power play points and is tied for third with five goals on the man advantage ... The Catamounts came into the night as the least penalized team in the league but tied a season-high with 18 penalty minutes.