PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman
Mathis Lacroix-Goulet (Delson, Québec) made 34 saves in his collegiate debut, including five in overtime, as Plymouth State University skated to a 2-2 tie with Vermont State University Castleton before earning the extra point in a shootout in Little East Conference (LEC) men's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Saturday afternoon.
Junior
William Jasmin (Saint-Clet, Québec) potted the game-tying goal early in the third period, and Lacroix-Goulet turned aside 12 shots in the stanza to preserve the tie.
The Spartans outshot PSU, 5-0, in overtime, including during a full two-minute power play, but Lacroix-Goulet came up with several outstanding saves to keep the game even. Plymouth State scored on two of its first three shootout attempts, while Lacroix-Goulet made a pair of stops to secure the extra point for the Panthers.
Plymouth State moves to 2-1-1 (0-1-1 LEC), while Castleton falls to 0-2-2 (0-0-2 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, VTSU Castleton 2
- Plymouth State (2-1-1, 0-1-1 LEC)
- VTSU Castleton (0-2-2, 0-0-2 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Senior David Matousek (Karlovy Vary, Czechia) knocked home a rebound at the far post just after a PSU power play expired to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
- The Spartans answered midway through the period when a slap shot from the left side was redirected past Lacroix-Goulet to make it 1-1.
- During one of Plymouth State's four power-play chances in the middle stanza, senior Ronan Walsh (Andover, N.H.) nearly put the Panthers ahead, but his shot from the slot was saved and the Spartans grabbed the puck for a 2-on-1 counterattack. Castleton converted the opportunity with a shot into the top-right corner to take a 2-1 lead with 8:12 left in the period.
- Plymouth State opened the third period with renewed energy, and Jasmin potted the equalizer in the first three minutes, backhanding the puck over the leg of the Castleton goaltender to make it 2-2.
- Lacroix-Goulet made an outstanding glove save on a bid from the low slot with just under four minutes remaining to help send the game to overtime.
- A stretch pass gave the Spartans a 1-on-1 opportunity against Lacroix-Goulet in the opening minute of overtime, but he knocked the shot aside with his blocker. Castleton went on the power play a minute later, but Lacroix-Goulet turned aside two more shots.
- PSU was unable to generate any chances after the penalty expired. A neutral-zone turnover led to a breakaway opportunity for the Spartans in the closing seconds, but Lacroix-Goulet made another stop to force a shootout.
- Senior Will Pray (Prague, Czechia) opened the shootout with a goal off the left post, while Lacroix-Goulet poked the puck free with his stick on Castleton's first attempt.
- Plymouth State's second attempt was stopped by the Castleton goaltender, but Lacroix-Goulet came up with another blocker save on the Spartans' ensuing attempt. Sophomore Tucker Shedd (Holt, Mich.) then sealed the shootout win with a wrist shot to the stick side.
By the Numbers:
- Lacroix-Goulet made 34 saves in his collegiate debut.
- Matousek potted his fourth goal of the season, with sophomore Kim Hilmersson (Uppsala, Sweden) and senior Severi Sulonen (Turku, Finland) recording their third assists of the season on the goal.
- Jasmin's tally was his second of the year, assisted by Pray and junior Tikhon Ashikhmin (Yekaterinburg, Russia).
- The Spartans held a 36-30 advantage in shots on goal.
- Both teams went 0-for-6 on the power play.
- Plymouth State is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings with the Spartans, though Castleton leads the all-time series, 11-6-2.
Up Next:
- The Panthers visit UMass Dartmouth on Friday (Nov. 13) for a 5:30 p.m. matchup with the Corsairs.
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