Gutterson Fieldhouse was rocking Saturday night as fans and students alike “packed the Gut” to see the men’s hockey team take the ice for the first time this year.
In a preseason exhibition against Montreal’s McGill University, the Catamounts wanted to set the tone for what they hope to be a season where they outperform expectations in a tough Hockey East conference.
The opening period was a test of both teams’ defensive identities. Neither team was able to find the back of the net or maintain possession until UVM’s junior forward Joel Määttä scored with just three minutes to go in the first thanks to a forced turnover by senior captain Will Zapernick.
The second period started much like the first, with back-and-forth turnovers and penalties on both sides. Both squads managed to get shots on goal—six for McGill and seven for Vermont—but quality saves on both ends of the ice kept McGill in the game.
Once the first line returned onto the ice, Zapernick and Määttä gave the Redbirds and fans déjà vu as the two connected for Määttä’s second goal of the game
As the period came to a close, both squads increased their physical intensity. A fight behind the net led to four players getting called for roughing penalties and minutes in the penalty box.
Heading into the final period, McGill was looking to claw their way back into the game while Vermont looked to put it out of reach. Catamount grad student Jérémie Bucheler took advantage of a McGill defensive mistake and extended the lead to 3-0 on an uncontested wrist shot during a power play.
Desperation set in for McGill as they failed to take advantage of UVM penalties and their subsequent power plays, but it was a goal at the eight minute mark that all but sealed the win for the Catamounts. Junior forward Andrei Buyalsky took a pass from fifth-year Ryan Miotto in stride and finished the one-on-one to make it 4-0.
The final horn went off, and UVM men’s hockey sent Catamount Country home happy. If the exhibition game showed any indication of the team’s upcoming season, coaches and fans can expect consistent energy, intensity and composure.
The team now turns its attention to its regular season opener on the road against New York’s St. Lawrence University on Oct. 13.
