Photo by: Photo by Michael Furman, Clarion

After a hard-fought battle Friday, the University of Vermont came back Saturday to defeat the DU hockey team 6-4 in Magness Arena.

With freshman Adam Murray making his debut in the goal, the Pioneers gave up their early lead and allowed six of 30 shots on goal.

“There’s no question that our defensive core tonight really really struggled,” head coach George Gwozdecky said. “I feel bad for Adam Murray, you hate to put him in that position when guys are just continually breaking down in front of you.”

“[We] left the freshman goaltender out to dry and you just can’t do that as a team,” senior Tyler Ruegsegger said. “I think we need to sharpen up all areas of our game, our defense especially. We’re getting a lot of goals, but we’re not playing any sound defense.”

Just 3:55 into the game, Denver’s Ruegsegger capitalized on a rebound to give the Pioneers an early lead. Freshmen Drew Shore and William Wrenn assisted on the goal.

Vermont’s Brayden Irwin tied the game 1-1 on a turnover at 7:29.

Ruegsegger gave the Pioneers the lead once again with just more than five minutes in the period, assisted by junior Jesse Martin and senior captain Rhett Rakhshani.

The Pioneers had a chance to make it 3-1 just moments later, but was ruled no goal because the net was off.

With Rakhshani in the penalty box for interference, the Catamounts tied the game 2-2, scored by Jack Downing at 17:49.

The intensity of the game carried into the second period when Vermont took a one-goal lead after Colin Vock scored on a penalty shot against Murray. Denver’s Wrenn was called on hooking.

The Pioneers tied the game once again at 8:03, scored by Martin and assisted by Rakhshani and sophomore John Lee.

Vermont’s Irwin gave the Catamounts a 4-3 lead going into the third period.

 

Jonathan Higgins scored for Vermont at 3:02, burying the Pioneers 5-3.

Denver’s freshman Shawn Ostrow narrowed the Catamounts lead to a lone goal at 5:14, assisted by freshman Paul Phillips, but it was too late for the Pioneers.

Vermont regained the two-goal lead less than two minutes later, scored by Brian Roloff.

Gwozdecky pulled Murray with more than two minutes of play remaining, but the Pioneers were unable to even the score.

The Pioneers outshot the Catamounts 34-30.

Next up, the Pioneers will travel to take on Ohio State in Ohio on Thursday and Saturday, while the Catamounts will play Boston College at home Sunday.

 

For archived live play-by-plays of the game, go to our Live Coverage page.