Men’s Hockey: UConn Tops UVM 5-1

Posted on by George Commo

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

HARTFORD, Ct – A three-goal second period for UConn led to a 5-1 Huskies victory on Friday night at the XL Center in Hockey East action. UConn improves to 3-5-1 (2-2-1 HEA) on the season, while the Catamounts drop to 2-5-1 (0-1-1 HEA).

The Huskies opened the scoring at 11:33 of the opening period on a goal by Max Kalter. Zac Robbins dropped a pass to Kalter in the slot where he quickly snapped a shot through traffic under the blocker of Stefanos Lekkas (26 saves). Joseph Masonius was credited with the secondary assist.

The Catamounts tied the game early in the middle frame on their second power play of the night thanks to Ross Colton‘s sixth goal of the season. Matt O’Donnell collected the puck off the faceoff and directed a pass to Christian Evers waiting at the top of the zone. Evers fed Colton at the top of the right circle where he wristed a shot over the glove of Adam Huska (21 saves).

Justin Howell responded just eight seconds later to restore the lead for the Huskies. Benjamin Freeman sprinted into the offensive zone and dished a pass across the low slot, and Howell one-timed a shot in the upper right corner.

UConn expanded its lead when Jeff Wight deflected a point shot from Masonius past Lekkas with 7:54 left in the period. Roughly a minute later, Spencer Naas converted a rebound off a shot from Maxim Letunov and the Huskies took a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.

Rookie Tyler Harmon (4 saves) made his collegiate debut in relief of Lekkas to start the third period for the Catamounts. Naas scored his second of the night with 4:41 left in regulation on another rebound to cap the scoring.

The Catamounts face UConn again on Saturday (Nov. 4) at 3:30 p.m. to close out the weekend series in Hartford. The UVM Alumni Association will host a pre-game reception with lunch and refreshments from 1:30-3:15 p.m. at Updike, Kelly and Spellacy (100 Pearl St., Second Floor). All Vermont fans are invited to attend and are encouraged to sit in sections 117 or 118 at the XL Center.