Connecticut’s D.J. Miller scored with 3:06 remaining in regulation and goaltender Jason Carey made 52 saves as the Huskies tied Vermont, 2-2, Saturday at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
After a scoreless first period in which both teams had a pair of power-play opportunities, the second period became a showcase for Carey, as the UConn goaltender made 23 of his 52 saves, keeping the Catamount offense at bay.
Vermont’s best chance to score in the period came with eight minutes remaining, when captain Ryan Cox chipped a rebound of a Thomas Hajek shot over the net from right in front. Despite a 23-8 advantage in shots on goal, the game remained scoreless heading into the third.
Vermont, 2-8-2 overall, finally got on the scoreboard at 3:58 of the third period when Sharp scored his fourth goal of the season, banging the puck in from just outside the crease after taking a pass from Jeff Miles.
UConn, 3-8-3 overall, tied the game at 1-1 when Jonathan Jepson scored on a pinpoint wrist shot into the top corner at 6:14 of the third. Matt Owens assisted on the goal.
But Sharp again lit the lamp for the Catamounts at 7:11 of the third, ripping a wrist shot from the high slot for his second of the night and fifth of the year. Miles and freshman defenseman Gerard Miller assisted.
Miller tied the game at 2-2 late in the third when he collected a shot from the point by Eric Nelson and beat Shawn Conschafter from the low slot.
Miles had a chance to win it in overtime for Vermont, but his shot from a tough angle early in the extra session slid across the crease before the net became dislodged. Vermont’s Thomas Hajek also had a shot from the point with 2:38 gone in OT that went through a maze of players but just wide of the net.
Conschafter, getting his 12th straight start for the Catamounts, finished with 24 saves.
