Ice hockey blanks Vermont to close nonconference slate

BURLINGTON, Vermont – The American International College ice hockey team rolled to a 4-0 win over the University of Vermont at historic Gutterson Fieldhouse on Saturday, January 14.

AIC improves to 11-9-5 on the season.

The Yellow Jackets had the better of the play in the first period, outshooting the Catamounts 11-6, but neither team could get a puck past the goalkeeper.

The scoreless drought ended midway through the second period. Jordan Biro dished the puck back to the point for Evan Stella, who ripped a slapshot into the net at 8:25 for his second of the season.

Less than two minutes later, the lead doubled as Oscar Geschwind swiped the puck at the AIC offensive blueline and turned onto the attack with Blake Bennett. Bennett carried in over the line and fired a shot that eluded Gabe Carriere for his 14th of the season at 9:52.

In the third, AIC added another to the lead. Casey McDonald dragged the puck near the left post and dipped behind the net, wrapping around and tucking the puck inside the right post at 2:22 for his first collegiate goal. 

Late in the third, Vermont pulled Carriere, but it was to no avail; Aaron Grounds won a battle along the right-side wall and knocked the puck to Bennett, who threw it length of the rink into the open cage at 17:07. The goal, his 15th of the season, was his 37th career goal, moving him into eighth all-time in AIC's Division I era.

All throughout the game, Alexandros Aslanidis was sharp. He turned away all 30 chances from the Catamounts, including 14 in the final period, as AIC earned its first shutout of a Hockey East team since 2016. Aslanidis's record improved to 5-2-1 with his second shutout of the campaign. 

The Yellow Jackets only have Atlantic Hockey Association opposition remaining on the regular season schedule, which continues with a tilt on Tuesday, January 17 at Army West Point. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m.