Courtesy Vermont Sports Information
BURLINGTON – Jonathan Turk scored shorthanded early in the second period and Packy Munson registered 23 saves for his second shutout in as many games at Gutterson Fieldhouse as Vermont blanked Lake Superior State 1-0 on the first day of the 20th annual Sheraton/TD Bank Catamount Cup on Tuesday.
The Catamounts improved to 6-12-2 (3-5-2 HEA) and will play for the Catamount Cup title on the event’s second day for the ninth time in the last 11 seasons. The Lakers dropped to 6-11-4 (4-4-4 WCHA) with the road defeat.
Vermont dominated the opening period as the Catamounts out-shot the Lakers 14-1 and didn’t allow their first shot on goal until the 12-minute mark. Travis Blanleil was called for a major penalty with just 1:11 remaining in the first and Lake Superior State carried a major penalty into the second.
UVM kept LSSU to the perimeter during the extended man advantage, and it scored the game’s only goal with 30 seconds remaining on the power play clock. Yyan Pattyn cleared the puck down the right wing boards, leading Turk into the Lake Superior zone for a partial breakaway. The senior glided through the slot and ripped a shot high blocker side on Gordon Defiel (29 saves) to open the scoring.
Later in the frame, Munson made a key shorthanded save on Mitch Hults during a 2-on-1 rush. Munson out-waited the Lakers’ top-line center before making a right pad save at the post to preserve the one-goal cushion.
Lake Superior State made a push for the equalizer in the third period and held a 14-9 edge in shots. The Lakers pulled Defiel for an extra skater with under 90 seconds remaining, and thought they had tied the game through Hults. The forward one-timed a cross-ice pass into the back of the net from the low right circle, but the goal was immediately waved off due to goaltender interference.
“The first period you have one shot? That was outstanding especially coming off break,” said Munson. “We didn’t give up much and when we did I was able to make a couple saves and we were able to get a really big win at home.”
In addition to his game-winning goal, Turk won 13 of his 20 faceoffs on the night. Munson’s shutout was his second in four games as the team’s starting goalie. UVM finished with a 30-23 advantage in shots.
Vermont faces Colgate on the second day of the tournament on Wednesday (Dec. 30) at 7:05 p.m. 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 and SportsJuice.com. Reserved and general admission tickets are available online at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by calling 802-656-4410.
Vermont will also host the 12th annual Teddy Bear Toss sponsored by the Vermont Teddy Bear Company on Wednesday against Colgate. Fans are asked to bring a bear to toss onto the ice during the second intermission. All bears will be donated to patients at local health centers by members of the Vermont men’s and women’s hockey teams this winter.