Courtesy Vermont Sports Information
BURLINGTON – Packy Munson posted a career-high 39 saves for his third shutout in the last five home games as Vermont shut down Dartmouth 1-0 on Friday during Martin St. Louis Night at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
For the first time in program history, the Catamounts retired a jersey and raised St. Louis’ number 8 to the Gutterson rafters during a special pre-game ceremony. Senior Jonathan Turk handed St. Louis his number 8 sweater prior to the game and will wear number 88 for the rest of the season.
Junior Brendan Bradley picked up the game-winning goal late in the second period. The Catamounts won their fourth straight game and improved to 9-12-2 (3-5-1 HEA), while the Big Green fell to 5-8-1 (3-5-0 ECAC).
Dartmouth nearly struck first but Brad Shierhorn hit the post in the opening 90 seconds. Charles Grant (24 saves) made a post-to-post blocker save on Kevin Irwin at the left doorstep later in the first to preserve the scoreless deadlock.
While shorthanded in the middle frame, Jarrid Privitera tipped the puck to himself behind a Big Green defenseman, but Grant closed his five-hole at the last second to deny the sophomore his 11th of the year.
With just 1:08 remaining in the second, Brady Shaw deked to his backhand above the left goal line and threw a shot on net. Grant made the initial save, but Bradley was waiting at the back door and buried a wrist shot inside the left post blocker side. Mario Puskarich posted his team-high 18th point with the second assist on Bradley’s sixth of the year.
Vermont killed off two Big Green power plays in the third, giving up limited opportunities, and finished the night 4-for-4 on the kill. Munson stopped all 17 shots he faced during the final frame.
Dartmouth called its timeout and pulled Grant for an extra skater with 1:29 left on the clock, but Vermont held on to extend its winning streak with its fourth shutout of the season.
In his first five career starts at Gutterson, Munson is 5-0-0 with a 0.60 goals against average and a .976 save percentage.
UVM closes a six-game homestand next weekend against defending national champion and third-ranked Providence in Hockey East action on Friday (Jan. 15) and Saturday (Jan. 16) at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, log on to UVMathletics.com/Tickets or call 802-656-4410.
Vermont will host Military Appreciation Night presented by Casella on Saturday (Jan. 16) and the team will wear special camouflage jerseys in honor of the event. A special group rate of $10 per general admission ticket is available for military and their family members.
The team’s game-worn camouflage jerseys will also be auctioned off at UVMathletics.com/auctions to benefit the Vermont Veterans Fund (VVF). The auction will go live at 12 p.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 13) and close at 12 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 18). Bids start at $150 per jersey.