FINAL SCORE: Merrimack 3, Vermont 2
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Rose-Marie Brochu scored two goals for Vermont (13-16-5, 7-11-4 HEA) on Sunday afternoon against Merrimack (7-21-4, 4-16-2 HEA), but it was the Warriors that secured the 3-2 win from Gutterson Fieldhouse during UVM's final home game of the regular season.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
CatamounTV Highlights
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Really disappointing outcome today in a game that meant a lot to us," said Head Coach Jim Plumer. "Unfortunately, we made a few big mistakes that Merrimack capitalized on and credit to them, and their goalie who played great today. It's another reminder that the details matter and despite the fact that we played hard and created a lot of chances, we can't give up that many odd-man rushes. We have been playing responsible hockey, but we didn't today and it cost us. Huge weekend ahead and we will need to be at our best to get the best playoff positioning we can."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Merrimack opened scoring 7:18 into the first period when Stina Sandberg broke free on a breakaway following a faceoff in the Merrimack zone, scoring her sixth goal of the season to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.
• The Catamounts tied the game 8:16 into the middle frame, seeing Stella Retrum find Kaylee Lewis in the Merrimack zone, who then maneuvered her way through multiple Warrior defenders, feeding Rose-Marie Brochu in the slot who slapped in her sixth goal of the season, knotting the score at 1-1.
• The Warriors scored two goals in the final 2:31 of the second period thanks to Madison Vittands finding the back of the net both times, successfully executing on two separate two-on-one opportunities, taking a 3-1 lead into the final 20 minutes of action.
• Brochu scored for the second time in the game 4:12 into the final period after burying a pass from Oona Havana top shelf, securing her seventh goal of the season to bring Vermont back to within one, 3-2.
• Vermont seemed to score an equalizer goal with 58 seconds remaining in regulation with an extra attacker on the ice, but after further review it was called off due to being batted in the net by a Catamount hand.
• Despite the Catamounts outshooting Merrimack 20-4 in the final period, it was Merrimack that skated away with the 3-2 victory from Gutterson Fieldhouse.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Brochu notched her second career multi-goal game, scoring twice against Merrimack on Sunday to go along with four shots on goal and a game-high 17 faceoff wins.
• Brochu now has a goal in three consecutive games, recording four goals in three games.
• Retrum (14), Lewis (11), and Havana (5) all recorded one assist on Sunday.
• Lewis tallied a game-high seven shots on goal.
• Natalie Zarcone skated in her 100th career game against Merrimack on Sunday becoming the seventh Catamount to reach the 100 games played milestone this season. 
• UVM outshot Merrimack on goal 42-19.
• The Catamounts won 37 faceoffs to the Warriors' 25.
• With tonight's 3-2 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $100 to Special Olympics Vermont. Community Bank, N.A. donates $50 per goal to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal the men's and women's team scores this season.

 
UP NEXT
Following UVM's regular season home finale, the Catamounts will hit the road for their final two games of the regular season, traveling to Worcester, MA on Friday (Feb. 20) for a head-to-head matchup with Holy Cross. Then on the following day, Saturday (Feb. 21), the Catamounts will travel to Durham, NH concluding the regular season against New Hampshire. Puck drop on Friday (Feb. 20) against Holy Cross is slated for 6 p.m. while Saturday's (Feb. 21) game against New Hampshire is scheduled for 2 p.m. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+.  
 
For news and updates about the Vermont women's hockey program, follow @UVMwhockey on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.
 
The Windjammer Inn and Conference Center is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program