The UMass men’s hockey team scored four unanswered goals Monday night to cruise past Air Force 5-1 at the Catamount Cup in Burlington, Vt.
Each of the Minutemen’s five tallies were scored by a different player, and nine skaters registered at least a point in the contest. Powering the UMass attack was sophomore winger Frank Vatrano, who scored in the opening minute of the third quarter and added two assists for a game-high three points.
âNobody has had a hotter hand than him,â UMass head coach John Micheletto told reporters after the game, via The Massachusetts Daily Collegian. âWith his three points (Monday), he certainly led the way.â
The Falcons failed to create much in the way of offense after Vatrano’s tally, registering just four shots on goal in the third period. UMass goalie Henry Dill finished the game with 21 saves.
The Minutemen, who had lost each of their previous five games, improved to 5-13-0 on the season with the win. Air Force fell to 5-12-2.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Providence 3, Vermont 0: In other Catamount Cup action, Providence (11-6-1) blanked host Vermont (14-4-1), thanks to a 29-save shutout by junior goalie Jon Gillies. It was the fourth shutout of the season for Gillies, who also defeated the Catamounts by an identical 3-0 score in November. Linemates Nick Saracino, Noel Acciari and Shane Luke each tallied a goal and an assist for the Friars.
Lake Superior State 2, Notre Dame 1: Notre Dame senior forward Austin Wuthrich knotted the score at 1 at 14:55 of the third period, but Eric Drapluk scored the eventual game-winner less than a minute later to push the Lakers (4-17-1) past the Fighting Irish (9-9-2) at the Florida College Hockey Classic in Estero. Gordon Defiel made 28 saves for Lake Superior State in the win.
Thumbnail photo via Facebook/UMass Athletics
