Unlike Saturday’s high-energy, exciting game Sunday’s matinee was everything that can make hockey downright boring.  Two tired teams, a listless crowd, and two officials who decided they would do their best to get Barry Melrose to announce their names on ESPNU by calling each and every penalty in the book.  In the end Vermont was able to make the most of their chances and shutout the Minutemen 3-0 to gain the weekend split.

This game had the feel of the Bentley game all over again.  UMass had a good amount of shots on net but only had a handful of true quality chances and when they did they were unable to finish.  A missed pass, a shot wide, a linemate turns the wrong way.  UMass was just one step behind all game long and in the end had another disappointing performance on national television.

With nine (yes, nine) power play opportunities UMass should have found a way to win this game.  Instead they were only able to muster five total shots on the man advantage.  This is completely unacceptable considering UMass has one of the better power plays in the country.  I was also unhappy to see a number of players trying to do everything themselves and not involving their teammates.  That’s not what has gotten the team to this point.

A split on the weekend isn’t the end of the world, but given the tough road ahead for the team another point or two would’ve come in handy in the long run.  It’s good that they find themselves in second place in the conference but a better effort today would’ve put them ahead of BC and given them a little more breathing room in front of Lowell and Maine.  With ten games left on the season they simply cannot take games off like they did today.

Fear The Triangle Player of the Game – Matt Irwin
It’s tough to pick a POTG when no one scores and the overall effort of the team is sub par.  However I thought Irwin did pretty well on both ends of the ice and was doing what he could right up until the end to try to get the Minutemen on the scoreboard.

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The Republican game story mentions that UVM goaltender Rob Madore played very well this weekend despite losing a family member earlier in the week.  His performance given those conditions is admirable.

Kevin Sneddon credited Madore and his team’s forecheck for the win in the Burlington Free Press’ recap.

Here’s the Collegian’s game story.

From Saturday is an article by Matt Vautour gauging the season so far.

Two very evenly matched teams took the ice last night but in the end it was UMass that was able to break through UVM’s defense and pick up the 3-1 win.  The crowd was certainly entertained as they were treated to exciting up and down action, some great saves (two in particular by Catamount goaltender Rob Madore), and another UMass win.

Paul Dainton had another solid game, though he didn’t quite have to stand on his head as much as he did last week.  Even with the absence of Doug Kublin due to injury the defensive group had one of the best overall games of the season, led by Justin Braun’s play.  All four lines contributed last night and were able to sustain good offensive pressure on the Catamounts.  Surprisingly though the two goals came off wrist shots from both James Marcou and Casey Wellman when they skated into the zone.

Hopefully the team can pick up where they left off last night.  A win today will give them sole possession of 2nd place in Hockey East and complete the series sweep with the Catamounts.  A few hours and it’s time to do it all over again.

Fear The Triangle Player of the Game – Casey Wellman
Catamount fans will be seeing Wellman in their nightmares after he put up another big game against them, scoring two goals and adding an assist.

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UVM Coach Kevin Sneddon said giving up a goals early and late in periods sunk the Catamounts in the USCHO recap.

Dick Baker has the game story for the Republican.

The Burlington Free Press states that the Catamounts have no answer for Marcou and Wellman.

Here’s the Gazette’s take.