Vermont men’s hockey went 0-2 against No. 17 Boston College this past weekend, losing 1-2 in the first matchup and 0-5 in the second. The series brought about 7,000 fans to Gutterson Fieldhouse, with a full student section on night one.
On Friday, the Cats got an early advantage with a five-on-three powerplay but couldn’t convert the opportunity into a goal. On their own powerplay 15 minutes later, BC came out one goal ahead.
Despite 11 shots on goal by each team, the second period went scoreless.
The game was penalty heavy, with both teams raking in six minor infractions. Fourteen minutes into the third period, a hooking call on BC gave Vermont their sixth powerplay.
An initial shot by first-year defenseman Caeden Herrington was blocked by BC’s goalkeeper. First-year forward Cédrick Guindon collected the rebound and sent the puck to sophomore forward Max Strand, who tied the game with his first goal of the season.
With just over a minute in regulation, BC scored their game-winning second goal.
“We never gave up. We had a lot of grade-A chances that we didn’t finish on. Can’t win games only scoring one goal,” head coach Steve Wiedler said to UVM Athletics postgame.
The Cats were close in shots on goal again Saturday night, with 21 to BC’s 27, but were shut out.
BC netted their first puck of many in an early first-period powerplay. They followed it up with another goal in the seventh minute.
BC put another two goals away in the second period, and a final goal 13 minutes into the third.
“I know we don’t coach to play that way, but nonetheless that’s what our team did today,” Wiedler said postgame. “If you disrespect the game of hockey with a lack of work ethic, and the small details that matter in winning at this level, well then, this game will always humble you.”
The games leave the team with a 3-5-0 record this season, with one win in the Hockey East conference. Vermont visits the University of Maine for another series on Nov. 14 and 15.
