Watson Stands Strong in Win Over Vermont – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics

TROY, N.Y. – Down a person for almost the entire second half of the ultimate interval, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) sophomore goaltender Jack Watson stored the puck out of the online and put up a season-high 41 saves in a 2-1 victory over the College of Vermont on the Houston Discipline Home in non-league motion.
 
After either side almost performed a scoreless first interval, a late RPI penalty put the Catamounts on the ability play. Vermont would convert on the chance, with Jacques Bouquot scoring on a tipped puck in entrance of the online from a shot from the blue line with simply over two minutes remaining. The Catamounts took that 1-0 lead into the locker room and held onto it all through many of the second interval.
 
The Engineers broke via with their first purpose with 3:08 to play within the second, as freshman Sutter Muzzatti scored his first collegiate purpose to even issues up at 1-1. Muzzatti sat on the door step, and had a rebound come proper to him after a shot from Nick Strom that he completed within the prime proper nook.
 
With the rating even into the third interval, Watson stepped up and shined, making 25 of his 41 saves of the sport within the last body.
 
Senior TJ Walsh scored the go-ahead purpose with 12:21 to play within the third, because the Engineers took benefit of a 5-on-3 alternative. Walsh took a slap shot from the fitting wing circle on a go from Lauri Sertti that discovered the higher proper nook to provide RPI the 2-1 lead.
 
As the sport eclipsed the halfway level of the third interval, the Engineers took a penalty and stayed on the penalty kill for a majority of the remaining minutes. RPI additionally confronted a 5-on-3 that changed into a 6-on-3 benefit late after the Catamounts pulled their goalie with 1:35 to play in regulation. Watson hung sturdy, making 18 saves within the last 9 minutes of play to safe the win.
 
It’s the fourth 40-plus save sport in Watson’s profession, whereas Walsh scored his team-leading sixth purpose of the season. RPI’s 42 photographs had been additionally a season-high as a crew.
 
The Engineers return to motion subsequent Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. once they hit the ice in Hamden to tackle the Quinnipiac Bobcats in ECAC Hockey motion.