VERMONT WOMEN'S HOCKEY NOTEBOOK
The Catamounts continue Hockey East play this weekend as they travel to Orono to face the Maine Black Bears in a two-game set. Vermont will clash with Maine at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
 
This year for the first time Maine is offering free streaming of their home hockey games, fans can watch this weekend's action live through GoBlackBears.com.
 
RELATED LINKS
Saturday at Maine – Live Video (free) | Live Stats
Sunday at Maine – Live Video (free) | Live Stats
 
SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS IN LEAGUE PLAY
Vermont's power play and penalty kill efforts have been impactful in Hockey East contests. The Catamounts power play is 8-for-35 in league play good for 22.9%, which is second only to Boston College. Eight of Vermont's nine power play goals have come in league play. Vermont's penalty kill efforts in league play have been successful 87.5% of the time, which is third in the league behind Boston College and Northeastern.
 
COLANG LEADING THE WAY
Senior forward Dayna Colang is leading the Catamounts in scoring for the second straight season. This year she eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in 21 games. In her career at Vermont she now has 84 total points which ranks fourth all-time behind Allie Knowles (87), Brittany Zuback (97), and Amanda Pelkey (105).
 
In her last three games Colang has two goals and an assist, including a goal in each of Vermont's last two games. In all five of Vermont's wins this season she has registered at least one point. In Vermont's 4-2 home win over Maine on November 1 Colang scored the game-winning goal and added an assist.
 
BAKER STRONG IN THE FACEOFF CIRCLE
Junior forward Bridget Baker has been the Catamounts best forward in terms of faceoff percentage this season. She has won 159 draws and is successful 55.6% of the time. The 55.6% winning percentage ranks her ninth in Hockey East. On Monday night against Merrimack Baker won 12 of the 17 draws she took.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Maine: On Saturday afternoon the Black Bears will be taking the ice for the first time since tying Union College 2-2 on December 12. Since falling to the Catamounts at Gutterson Fieldhouse on November 1 Maine is 2-9-1. The Black Bears last two wins came against Dartmouth and Union, the same two teams Vermont's last two wins were against.
 
Maine and Vermont are currently tied for seventh place in Hockey East with six points. Both teams are four points behind New Hampshire for the final home-ice spot in the Hockey East Quarterfinals making this weekend very important for both teams.
 
Senior forward Audra Richards leads the team in scoring with nine goals and five assists for 14 points in 21 games. Against Vermont on November 1 she had an assist. In her career against Vermont she has four goals and four assists in 12 games.
 
Vermont is 16-23-6 all-time against the Black Bears. The Catamounts have won the last three contests at Alfond Arena. Under Coach Plumer Vermont is 7-4-1 against Maine.
 
KAYLA KRUK JOINS WOMEN'S HOCKEY THROUGH TEAM IMPACT
The women's hockey team officially drafted seven-year-old Shelburne, Vt. native Kayla Kruk through Team IMPACT. Kayla celebrated her draft day with the Catamounts last Saturday in a ceremony facilitated by the 501(c)(3) non-profit, Team IMPACT, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Click here to read more about Kayla and Team IMPACT.
 
TEAM LEADERS
Senior Gina Repaci and junior Sarah Kelly will serve as co-captains for the University of Vermont women's hockey team this season.
 
ALL ACROSS THE MAP
The Catamounts have players from 10 different states (Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Vermont), two Canadian provinces (Alberta and Ontario) and two other countries (Czech Republic and Finland). Vermont has four players from Ontario more than any other state or province.
 
HOCKEY EAST SKATING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER NEXT SUNDAY JAN. 17
On Sunday January 17 at 2 p.m. as the Catamounts host Boston University Vermont will participate in the annual Hockey East Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative as part of the department's "Rally Against Cancer" presented by Otter Creek Awnings and Vermont Custom Closets. The team will wear special edition "pink" jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game.
 
3RD ANNUAL PACK THE GUT CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY THE WINDJAMMER
The Vermont women's hockey team will host the third annual "Pack the Gut Challenge Presented by The Windjammer" on Friday January 29 as they face Connecticut.
 
The goal this is to break the single game Hockey East attendance record of 2,028 fans, set by Vermont in 2013, and support the local Meals on Wheels organization. 
 
The 2015-16 Vermont women's hockey campaign is brought to you by the Windjammer Restaurant and Inn.