Following a split against UNH, the Women’s Ice Hockey team is seeking to build momentum for the final six games of the season, starting with Maine next weekend. Injuries and constant movement has hindered the teams ability to create cohesion on the lines and has led to a 5-7-3 start to the season.

Coach Jim Plumer says he is looking for the team to get healthy and play their best hockey when the playoffs arrive. With many players seeing significant time on the ice due to a short roster that experience could be exactly what the Catamounts need come playoff time.

Last weekend’s games against the rival Wildcats concluded with a win on each side. In Friday’s victory, Sophomore Brittany Zuback scored her 12th goal, a program record, leading the team to a 3-1 victory.

Coach Plumer went on to say it was the most complete game whose the year’ for his team. Without a doubt a contributing factor to that was Roxanne Douville’s near shutout, whose bid was interrupted with less than two minutes left in the game.

Plumer added, One of the keys to our success will be to get great goaltending down the stretch. Douville’s performance was certainly a step in the right direction.

In the second game of the series, UVM fell short as the Wildcats scored an empty net goal with less than a minute left to put the game away, 4-2. “I was pleased with the way we competed in both games this weekend, even if we didn’t get the result we wanted today, Plummer said.

The team faces off against a struggling Maine squad this weekend, which ideally will serve as a launching point for the remaining six games of the regular season. The Catamounts took a loss and a tie in the teams earlier matchup this season.

Not lost in the commotion of an exciting hockey season is the team’s will to help others. The team participated in Hockey East Strides Against Cancer against Boston University Jan. 25. It was great to see the team wearing their jerseys Friday night and selling raffle tickets at the men’s game, Plummer said. Our team definitely embraced the opportunity.

With tournament play less than a month away, the Catamounts are peaking at the right time. Only needing three wins to bring home the Hockey East title, the Catamounts will strive to surprise their peers come bracket time. Tournament play begins on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday March 3.