University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
#13 Vermont*
Vermont Tops UMass 3-2 In OT
February 18, 2006 | Hockey
Feb. 18, 2006
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts (12-18-0, 9-14-0 Hockey East) fell to Vermont (18-10-4, 10-9-4 HEA) on Saturday night by the score of 3-2 in overtime. Peter Lenes tied the game at two apiece with 12 seconds left in regulation before winning it with 1:08 remaining in OT.
The Minutemen started the game by killing off two penalties, both to Matt Anderson for slashing at 00:45 and 8:54. The junior captain redeemed himself a little over three minutes after the latter penalty expired with an assist on the first goal of the game. His shot on UVM netminder Travis Russell rebounded out to Mark Matheson, who flipped the puck into the net for his second of the season. Jamie Solon also assisted on the tally. The goal ties a single-season best for Matheson, who has split time at forward and defense.
Neither team added to the scoreboard through the remainder of the first, while shots stood at 6-5 in favor of the Catamounts through 20.
The second period was uneventful until 15:05 when two sets of matching roughing penalties were called (UVM: Jaime Sifers and Dan Owens; UMass: Alex Berry and David Leaderer). As the penalties were expiring, P.J. Fenton was called for a hit from behind with 2:17 remaining in the stanza, affording Vermont a five-minute continuous power play through the rest of the second and into the third.
UVM's Jeff Corey converted on the power play at 19:43, beating Jon Quick inside the near-side post for his fourth of the season. Brady Leisenring and Ryan Gunderson assisted, breaking 139 minutes and 46 seconds of scoreless hockey vs. the Minutemen. Through two, shots were 15-10 in favor of the visiting team.
The Catmounts opened the third with an additional 2:43 of PP time, but did not convert, keeping the score 1-1. Stephen Werner regained the one-goal lead for the Minutemen, scoring his second in as many games at 10:18. With the play in the UMass end, Chris Capraro intercepted the puck and bumped it up to Werner. The pair, along with Chris Davis, skated in 3-on-1 before Werner beat Russell on the stick side.
Vermont pulled its goalie with 1:02 in regulation while the 'Cats were on the power play and tied the game with just 12 seconds left in the contest. Peter Lenes collected the goal, assisted by Ryan Gunderson and Corey Carlson.
UVM won it in overtime with Lenes' second of the game, assisted by Dean Strong and Carlson. The goal, a wraparound, was scored with 1:08 left.
Overall, shots were 32-15 Vermont. The 'Cats converted once in their four PP opportunities, UMass was 0-for-3.
Massachusetts returns to the ice next weekend with a home-and-home series against Northeastern, with Saturday's game being played in Amherst. Saturday is also Senior Night for UMass Hockey. Marvin Degon, Jamie Solon, Stephen Werner and Gabe Winer will be honored prior to skating in their final games at the Mullins Center. Game time for both nights is set for 7 p.m.
