Vermont and UNH Skate to a 2-2 Tie

Sophomore Andrew Poturalski Tallies 22nd Goal

Sophomore Shane Eiserman Scores Game-Tying Goal

DURHAM, NH - Following a disappointing loss the night before, the expectation was the Wildcats would come out with a chip on their shoulder and take it to the Catamounts in Dick Umile’s 1,000 career game as head coach.

Despite a flurry of offensive action early in the game for UNH, they were unable to strike on 11 shots in the first period. Vermont’s Mitch Ferguson made it a 1-0 game at 10:26 of the first with a shot from the point that blew past Danny Tirone.

In the second period Vermont pushed their lead to 2-0 on the power play when Chris Muscoby scored at 8:08 of the second for the third Catamount power play goal on the weekend. Vermont came into the weekend with the nations worst power play at 11% and was able to find success against the struggling UNH penalty kill.

Finally, UNH was able to get on the board with a power play goal by Andrew Poturalski making it 2-1 at 10:41 of the second period. Poturalski patiently waited at the top of the slot, before faking a shot and skating in closer to rip a snap shot, glove side past Packy Munson.

At 5:18 of the third sophomore Shane Eiserman made it a tie game. Eiserman crashed the side of the net and pushed the puck under Munson’s glove to make it 2-2. It was Eiserman's second goal in the last 3 games.

Midway through the third period, the net behind Tirone was pushed off and the whistle blew. A couple of seconds later, Muscoby fired a shot into the back of the net well after the play had ended. Eiserman and the rest of the Wildcats on the ice took exceptation to the late shot and went after Muscoby. Eiserman, who was the first man in, gave Muscoby a two-handed crosscheck from behind and pandemonium broke out everywhere. Eiserman would end up receiving a game misconduct and Muscoby received a 10-minute misconduct.

The teams traded opportunities throughout the remainder of the third period and overtime, but no one could break the tie. The 2-2 tie gave UNH one out of a possible four points in the Hockey East series with the Catamounts. The Wildcats are currently in eighth place in the Hockey East standings, 2 points behind Vermont and 1 point ahead of Connecticut. If the season ended today, UNH would have home-ice in the opening round of the Hockey East Playoffs and play against UConn.

Here are the video highlights courtesy of UNH Athletics:



Box Score