Hey hockey fans! Get ready for an exciting weekend as the University of Vermont Catamounts head to Providence to kick off their Hockey East season. The Catamounts will be taking on the No. 7 ranked Providence Friars in a two-game series at Schneider Arena. The first game is on Friday night at 7 p.m., followed by a Saturday night showdown at 6 p.m. You can catch all the action live on ESPN+ or tune in to WVMT for the radio broadcast with Adam Lafleur. It’s going to be a thrilling weekend of hockey!
One player to watch out for is senior goaltender Gabe Carriere. He has been a rock in net for the Catamounts this season, with an impressive .950 save percentage. His performance has earned him the 11th spot in the NCAA for save percentage and the 14th spot for goals-against average. Carriere is definitely a key player for Vermont.
Another standout player is junior forward Simon Jellus. In the last game against St. Lawrence, Jellus scored his first career multi-goal game, including a power play goal. He’s definitely a player to keep an eye on as he continues to make an impact on the ice.
Head Coach Steve Wiedler has also made his mark in his debut season with the Catamounts. He became only the second coach in program history to win his coaching debut, with a 3-1 victory over St. Lawrence. Wiedler is bringing a new energy to the team and has them off to a strong start.
The Catamounts have been on the rise in recent seasons, increasing their win total and making it to the Hockey East Quarterfinals last year. They have a strong leadership group, with senior Will Zapernick serving as captain and Jérémie Bucheler, Zach Dubinsky, and Joel Määttä as alternates. This group will provide guidance and support to the team throughout the season.
Providence, on the other hand, has had a strong start to their season. They have already defeated No. 5 ranked Michigan and No. 2 ranked Denver. The Friars are currently ranked seventh and will be a tough opponent for the Catamounts. However, Vermont has had success against Providence in the past, with their last win in the series coming in 2019.
Both teams have talented players to watch out for. Providence forwards Jaroslav Chmelar, Riley Duran, and Hudson Malinoski have been leading the team in goals, while Tanner Adams was named the Pro Ambitions Hockey East Rookie of the Week. The Catamounts also have a roster filled with NHL Draft picks, including Eli Barnett, Andrei Buyalsky, and Isak Walther.
It’s going to be an exciting weekend of hockey as the Catamounts take on the Friars. Make sure to tune in and cheer on your favorite team. Go Catamounts!