Men’s Hockey: Catamounts Top UNH 3-2 in Overtime

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

BURLINGTON – Jarrid Privitera’s second goal of the game and team-leading 10th of the season lifted Vermont over New Hampshire just 40 seconds into overtime on Saturday night in non-conference action at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

The Catamounts won their third straight game and improved to 8-12-2 (3-5-2 HEA), snapping the Wildcats’ six-game unbeaten streak in the process. UNH dropped to 8-7-4 (2-1-4 HEA) after the 106th all-time meeting in the series.

Privitera registered his second multi-goal game of the season, while captain Yvan Pattyn collected a career-high three assists. Brady Shaw eclipsed the 50-point plateau in his NCAA career with a goal and an assist, both in the first period.

UVM opened the scoring five minutes into the contest during its first power play opportunity. Privitera banged home a rebound off a Pattyn point shot as the puck deflected over Danny Tirone’s head and over the goal line. Shaw was also credited with an assist for his 50th collegiate point.

With just over two minutes left in the first, Pattyn sent a pass across the blue line to his defensive partner Chris Muscoby. The junior fired a wrist shot on net which was tipped in front by Shaw blocker side past Tirone (34 saves) for his second point of the frame.

Vermont dominated the second period, out-shooting the Wildcats 16-2. Mario Puskarich and Brendan Bradley blocked several shots during a New Hampshire power play late in the frame and UVM retained its two-goal cushion.

UNH answered back in the third with a pair of goals in the span of seven minutes. Near the midway point, Matias Cleland threw a shot on goal from the left point that deflected off a Vermont defenseman’s skate and snuck past Packy Munson (17 saves) five-hole. Andrew Poturalski then curled around the Catamount net and stuffed home a wraparound at 16:48 to knot the score.

Vermont regrouped in overtime and carried the play from the opening faceoff. Puskarich collected the puck from Pattyn below the right goal line before centering a pass to Privitera, who had just come onto the ice from the bench. Privitera’s quick one-timer snuck under Tirone’s pads from the left doorstep to win the game.

“I got out there, saw Mario with it behind the net and I just tried to find space. He found me and fortunately it went in,” Privitera said. “It was a great pass from Mario. I saw it squeak through the defenseman and I just tried to whack it in. We played well all week going back to the Catamount Cup. We got pucks to the net, got bodies to the net, and had a lot of chances.”

UVM finished the night with a 37-19 edge in shots, including a 30-10 advantage in the first 40 minutes. The Catamounts blocked more shots (20) than they allowed on target.

Vermont continues a six-game homestand next Friday (Jan. 8) against former ECAC rival Dartmouth at 7:05 p.m. UVM will host Martin St. Louis Night to honor the program’s all-time leading scorer with a special pre-game presentation. Limited reserved and general admission tickets are available online at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by calling 802-656-4410.

The ceremony and all the action will be streamed live for free at CatamounTV.com, and radio coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. on WVMT 620-AM, SportsJuice.com, and the TuneIn app with Alastair Ingram and Aaron Miller.

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