A trip to the University of Maine Nov. 28-29 to face the Black Bears resulted in the Catamounts taking all four possible points in the Hockey East series.

Game one saw junior goalie Brody Hoffman start in net. First-year winger Mario Puskarich scored two goals, including one on the power play, en route to the 6-3 win over the Black Bears.

Other goal scorers for the Cats were first-year Kevin Irwin, senior Mike Paliotta, first-year Jarrid Privitera and junior Jake Fallon.

Game two tested Vermont’s ability to play short-handed. The Cats survived all five of the penalties they took against the Black Bears.

Sophomore goalie Mike Santaguida backstopped the Cats to a 4-1 victory.

Puskarich and Privitera each continued their hot streaks. Both have scored three goals in their last three games.

Sophomore forward Brady Shaw scored a timely power play goal midway through the second period to give the Catamounts the lead. They never looked back.

Before anyone knew it, first-year Anthony Petruzzelli had scored the empty-net goal that sealed the weekend series for the Cats.

“I’m so proud of our guys.  This is such a tough place to come into and get a win let alone a sweep,” said head coach Kevin Sneddon, according to UVM Athletics.  “I’m very proud of our mental toughness and our physical toughness.”

Senior captain Mike Paliotta was named the TD Bank Student-Athlete of the week following the series according to UVM Athletics.

With the win, the Catamounts improve to 4-0 against Maine this season.

According to UVM Athletics, the wins give the Catamounts a 9-1-4 record against the Black Bears over the past four seasons. The Catamounts currently sit in third place in the Hockey East with a 7-3-1 record in conference play and an overall record of 11-3-1 this season.

The Catamounts have two upcoming games next month against the  No. 2 nationally ranked Boston University Terriers who currently have an overall record of 10-3-3.

Vermont had the weekend off in preparation for a two-game home series against St. Lawrence University Dec. 12 and 13. Both games will start at 7:05 p.m. The Catamounts will return to Hockey East action  Jan. 16 and 17 against Northeastern University.