University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Vermont
Winning Streak Snapped at Vermont
2/9/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
BURLINGTON, Vt. - The UConn women's ice hockey team had plenty of scoring chances on Friday night, including a sizable 16-3 shots advantage in the third period, but its inability to net the equalizer in power play opportunities led to a 1-0 loss to Vermont at the Gutterson Fieldhouse.
The Huskies (11-12-8, 5-11-5 WHEA) went 0-for-6 on power plays, with four of them coming in a nine-minute stretch throughout the third period. Freshman Natalie Snodgrass fired a season-high 10 shots on target against the Catamounts.
Senior goalie Annie Belanger made 27 saves for UConn, but was bested by Vermont goalie Sydney Scobee who made 41 stops. Ironically, the Huskies allowed only three shots in the third period - but one was Vermont's game-winning goal from Ali O'Leary at 3:18.
Six penalties were called against both teams, but UConn and Vermont combined to go 0-for-12 on power play conversions. From a defensive perspective, both teams did an exceptional job killing penalties, with an average of less than two shots taken per power play.
In the game, UConn outshot Vermont by a +13 margin (41-28), proving a lack of scoring was not for lack of trying. Senior Leah Lum recorded nine shots of her own on Friday.
Scoring opportunities late for the Huskies, but they can't net the equalizer in a loss to Vermont. pic.twitter.com/WC4GDzoyTF
- UConn Women's Hockey (@UConnWHOC) February 10, 2018
During the final period, the Catamounts committed four penalties of a stretch of 8:30 in game time - giving UConn four big opportunities to tie the game after Vermont took the lead early in the period. In that time, the Huskies recorded 10 shots on Scobee, but to no avail.
The loss to Vermont snaps a four-game winning streak for UConn dating back to the Maine series on Jan. 26 and 27. The Huskies now sit in eighth place in Hockey East - the final playoff spot - with 15 points, one better than Merrimack (14) and two fewer than Vermont and Boston University (17).
On Saturday, UConn gets a rematch with Vermont in the season series finale. Puck drop is at 4 p.m. in the Gutterson Fieldhouse.
