VA Tops Defending DII Champions
Vermont traveled to Worcester, MA to face off against the defending NEPSAC Division II Champions, Worcester Academy. The game was played at Worcester Ice Center, puck drop was at 4:30 pm. Blanka Skodova ‘18 earned the start in net for the Wildcats, her fourteenth of the season.
The first period was filled with back and forth play. Each team had a few scoring opportunities, but the goalies were able to deny them all. The Hilltoppers and Wildcats headed back to the locker room tied at 0.
Vermont was able to capitalize first in the second period. Four minutes in Chloe Aurard ‘18 beat the goalie, Kristyna Kaltounkova ‘20 assisted. Four minutes later they connected again to put Vermont up 2-0. With less than a minute left Aurard completed the natural hat trick. She skated into the offensive zone with the puck taking a slapshot just inside the blue line, which hit the goalie far pad. Kaltounkova was there to pick up the rebound and pass the puck back to Aurard who slid it into the empty half of the net. However, with ten seconds left the Hilltoppers responded.
The third period Worcester responded with two goals tying the game at 3-3 with four minutes left in the game. Vermont was unable to respond sending the game into overtime.
Vermont started overtime on the penalty kill. Once they killed the penalty they went to work. Skodova came up with a clutch glove save to keep the game tied. Shortly after Aurard and Kaltounkova responded storming down the ice on a two on one. Aurard dropped the puck to Kaltounkova who deked the goalie and beat her over her left shoulder for the game-winning goal.
Skodova finished the night with 49 saves. The Wildcats also had 20 blocked shots. Vermont is now 2-0-1 in overtime games this season. Skodova, Klara Jandusikova ‘20, and Holly Meredith ‘18 anchored the defense to help Vermont capture the win. VA is back in action on Wednesday, February 14th when they head down to The Gunnery for a 4:30 pm tilt.
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
