The No. 18 UMass hockey team skated to a 3-3 tie with Vermont Friday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington, Vt., ultimately falling in a shootout as the Catamounts secured the extra point for Hockey East purposes.
Freshman James Duerr tallied two goals and an assist to pace the Minutemen in the game, which will count as a tie in official records.
UMass led 2-1 after 20 minutes despite getting heavily outshot, 17-7. Duerr and Owen Murray scored for the Minutemen in the first period.
The Catamounts responded in the middle stanza with two goals of their own, to take a 3-2 lead into the third period.
At 8:02, Duerr notched his second of the night, with assists being credited to Francesco Dell’Elce and Lucas Olvestad, to send it to extra time.
Neither team scored in overtime, but it was Vermont’s Joel Maatta who got the decider in the shootout to claim the victory.
The Catamounts were led by Jax Wismer and Max Strand, who each had a couple of assists for the hosts.
Minutemen goaltender Michael Hrabal finished the night with 31 saves in the loss. Vermont goalie Keenan Rancier made 21 saves.
UMass falls to 4-3-2 and will look to even the weekend series Saturday night.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
