| 1 | 2 | 3 | Final | |
| So. Burlington | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Rice | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
After a 13-game winning streak was snapped by Essex, the Rebels knew they needed to get back on track. They did just that as five Rebels scored as they beat the Rice Green Knights 5-0 at Cairns Arena on Wednesday night.
South Burlington scored early and often as senior captain Matt Leonard scored 1:10 into the 1st period from sophomore Matt Baechle on a breakaway. South Burlington really focused on the details after a tough loss to Essex.
“We made sure we did the little things correct,” said Leonard. “We worked hard, and we figured if we did that, then we’d get a victory.”
The Rebels responded with a power play goal with 10:22 remaining in the first from the stick of junior captain Bernie Thibeault. Chris Weinheimer and Charles Hall were credited with the assists.
South Burlington scored once more from freshman Connor Bradley in a scrum in front of Rice tender Jamie Cruickshank. Bradley was awarded an unassisted goal. The Rebels out shot the Green Knights 15-7 after one period.
For a team that averaged almost 5½ goals per game, South Burlington managed to play pretty good defense as well.
“We tried to tighten up in the defensive zone; make sure we play from the net out. (We didn’t want) to let up 2nd and 3rd chances; just get the puck out whenever we got it,” said Leonard.
Defense often times leads to offense as it did in the 2nd period when Matt Fisher and Gabe Simpatico finished for a goal a piece. Baechle was given an assist on both 2nd period goals, and three for the game. Weinheimer picked up his second assist of the game on Simpatico’s goal, while Eric Craig was also credited with an assist.
South Burlington goaltender Nathaniel Young gathered a 21-save shutout. Mason Koster and Ian Koupash also combined for 27 saves for Rice.
With the win, the Rebels improve to 15-2, while the Green Knights drop to 5-12. The Green Knights have lost three straight games, and six of their last seven.
South Burlington returns to action on Saturday when they host Rutland, while Rice plays Middlebury. Both games will be at Cairns Arena in South Burlington.