Burlington, VT- In a matchup of top 20 power house programs at the Gutterson Field House on the campus of the University of Vermont, the UMass Minutemen(9-2-0, 5-2-0 HEA) proved that their top 10 ranking was no fluke. On the strength of a Casey Wellman hat trick and five assists from James Marcou, the Minutemen downed UVM 6-2.
After playing to a 0-0 draw in the first period, Vermont (4-5-1, 3-4-1 HEA) would get on the board first scoring a goal at the 3:06 mark of the second period when David Pacan snuck a wrist shot past UMass goalie Paul Dainton. Wellman would respond with his first goal, a power play goal, on a one timer from Marcou at 8:42 before UVM would retake the lead on a Brian Roloff goal at 9:55.
Wellman would even the score again on a give and go goal from Marcou following a UVM turnover in the neutral zone. Marcou waited for the defenseman to commit just before passing the puck back to Wellman who put it past UVM goalie Mike Spillane. UMass would take the lead for good on another Wellman goal during a 5 on 3 power play when Marcou spotted Wellman at the top of the left circle for an open slap shot that found the back of the net and giving UMass a 3-2 lead at 15:07 of the second period. UMass would close out the second period scoring 40 seconds later when Rocco Carzo took a Will Ortiz pass and put it in the net. Marcou would assist on this play as well, giving him four helpers in the second period.
The third period scoring opened up when Marcou setup Wellman streaking through the neutral zone. Wellman skated in on Spillane before passing the puck to Justin Braun for a one timer from the left face off dot. UMass would close out the scoring for the game on a Danny Hobbs goal from Brett Watson and Mark Concannon at 7:55.
The Wellman hat trick was the first of his collegiate career. This was the second four point game for Wellman, the last coming against Providence on October 31, 2008. With his five assists tonight Marcou passed the century mark in career points and was the second time he recorded five points in a game. The last coming in the same October 31, 2008 game against Providence.
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