Men’s Hockey: Lone Goal Holds Up, UConn edges UVM 1-0

Posted on by George Commo

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

BURLINGTON – Karl El-Mir’s tally at 12:14 of the second period was the night’s lone goal, and the UConn Huskies (4-2-1, 2-1-1 HEA) took a 1-0 final over the Vermont Catamounts (2-3-0, 0-2-0 HEA) Friday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

COACH’S QUOTE
“Certainly both goaltenders were the difference in the game tonight, Stef played extremely well and Huska was brilliant” head coach Kevin Sneddon said. “”I will say that we did not get enough bodies in front of him. He saw a lot of the shots we took and he’s going to make those saves. We had a ton of chances.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
Matt O’Donnell picked up the first of five Catamount penalties just 1:18 into the first period on an interference call. Stefanos Lekkas (30 saves) made six saves on the UConn advantage.
UConn found the net on its fourth power play opportunity halfway through the middle period. One of the NCAA’s assist leaders, Jachym Kondelik, found El-Mir in the low slot from below the goal line for the bang-bang goal.
Vermont entered the third period looking to erase a one-goal deficit for the second consecutive game. Two Husky penalties at 10:27 of the third gave Vermont two minutes of 5-on-3 hockey. Jake Massie rang iron seconds into the power play on a shot from the point on Vermont’s best chance to that point of the game.
A Catamount timeout and empty net with 2:12 remaining led to a final push at the Husky net. Liam Coughlin’s shot with just over one minute left fluttered across the UConn crease, but a defenseman batted the puck to the corner and out of harm’s way.
Vlad Dzhioshvili fired a shot on UConn’s Adam Huska (39 saves) and the rebound ricocheted and nearly found the back of the net as time expired.
Vermont held a 39-31 advantage in shots. UConn had five power play chances to Vermont’s four.
UP NEXT
Vermont and UConn take the ice tomorrow night in UVM’s annual Rally Against Cancer game, presented by Vermont Custom Closets. Fans are encouraged to wear lavender to support the fight against ALL cancers. Tomorrow night is also Poster Night, presented by UVM Print & Mail; fans will receive a free 2018-19 poster and players will be available following the game for autographs.