Yale’s Spencer Rodgers scored two power-play goals in a two-and-a-half minute span of the second period and assisted on a third as the Bulldogs kept their ECAC playoff hopes alive while ending Vermont’s hopes for a post-season berth with a 3-2 win over the Catamounts.
Vermont, 3-23-2 overall and 3-15-1 in ECAC play, got on the scoreboard first at 5:27 of the first period when Scott Mifsud scored on a rebound from the right side of the crease. Thomas Hajek began the play with a good shot from the left point. Yale goaltender Dan Lombard made the save, but kicked it to Vermont’s Brady Leisenring, who then redirected it to a diving Mifsud. The goal was Mifsud’s seventh of the season.
Yale, 7-17-2 overall and 6-11-2 in the ECAC, tied the game at 1-1 midway through the first when defenseman Jeff Dwyer ripped a wrist shot into the upper corner while skating down the slot. Spencer Rodgers assisted on the goal, Dwyer’s fourth of the season.
The Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead at 8:26 of the second period when Rodgers his first of two power-play goal from the right side of the crease. Stacey Bauman and Ryan Trowbridge assisted on the goal, Rodgers’ second of the year.
Rodgers, a senior from South Surey, British Columbia who had one goal this season coming into the game, scored again on the power play at 10:43 to give Yale a 3-1 lead, with assists going to Bauman and Jason Noe.
Vermont made it 3-2 at 5:00 of the third period when Brady Leisenring scored his fourth goal of the season, storming down the center of the ice and beating Lombard from right in front. Bryson Busniuk and John Longo assisted on the goal.
The Catamounts had a great chance to tie the game midway through the third when Jeff Miles and Patrick Sharp came in on a two-on-one break. Sharp dropped the puck back to Miles, who skated in between the circles and cranked a wrist shot that clanged off the crossbar.
Hellemeyer added an empty-net goal at 19:04 of the third period to make for the final margin.
Shawn Conschafter made 32 saves for Vermont, while Lombard stopped 25 for Yale.
