UVM men’s hockey lost their first home game of the season Oct. 11 against Laurentian University 4-1.

An empty net goal deep in the third period put the game away.

UVM offense started the first period winning a majority of the faceoffs, having good possession of the puck and getting 26 total shots on goal.

However, it was Laurentian forward William Gignac who scored the first and only goal of the period.

The Catamount offense failed to capitalize on their shots all night, with 44 total shots into the hands of Laurentian goalie Mackenzie Savard but only one in the back of the net.  

First-year forward Bryce Misely scored Vermont’s only goal late in the third period.

“[This goal] was closest we came to doing anything close to what we did against Michigan,” head coach Kevin Sneddon said.  

UVM played No. 4 nationally ranked University of Michigan Oct. 6 and won 5-2, according to UVM athletics.

The Voyagers maintained a tough defense throughout the game, Sneddon said.

“They had an absolute beast back there on the blue line,” he said. “They were tough down low and I thought they protected their goalie very, very well.”  

First-year goalie Tyler Harmon let in four goals, but the score was not indicative of his performance, Snedden said.  

“It’s not Tyler’s fault at all,” he said. “Tyler is still relatively inexperienced but he thinks he gained some good experience tonight and will be ready and better next time.”

Tonight’s loss cannot be pegged on the shoulders on any one man it was a team effort, Sneddon said.  

“It was a collective loss from the head coach down,” he said.

The Catamounts’ did have good offensive rushes and speed during the game, but there are some aspects where the team can improve, Sneddon said.

“We made some mistakes and forced things and need to work on power plays as we were 0 and 7 which is not a good night for us,” Sneddon said.

The lineup combinations tonight did a good job of working the puck however they were inconsistent in their level of play throughout the periods, he said.

“Each line did something pretty well at different times in the game I just don’t think that anybody on the roster had a 60 minute game,” Sneddon said.

First-year Eriks Ziedins said this was a shocking loss considering their previous win.   

“It was a pretty tough loss but the boys beat Michigan so hopefully they can ride the energy of the big win to take down Quinnipiac,” he said.

UVM lost again Saturday Oct. 13 against Quinnipiac 3-2, according to UVM athletics.

The players could not be reached for comment.

Their next game is 7:05 p.m. Oct. 27 at the University of New Hampshire, according to UVM athletics.