Box Score
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Olivia Atkinson, a freshman forward from Toronto, scored the game-winning goal on a power-play with 22 seconds left in the second period as McGill defeated Vermont 2-1 in the Catamounts season opening exhibition tilt at Gutterson Fieldhouse Sunday afternoon.
 
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McGill, which had a 27-23 edge in shots, improved their all-time record against Vermont to 6-1-1.
 
"Our compete level was real good," said McGill head coach Peter Smith. "We defended well, blocked a lot of shots but still have some work to do on offence, where we turned over the puck too much."

The Martlets tested the Catamounts early in the first period after earning a two-minute five-on-three opportunity. Junior goaltender Madison Litchfield made two saves on the McGill power-play to keep the game scoreless.

After a scoreless first frame, the Catamounts came out firing in the second, tallying six shots in the first four minutes of the period. Vermont capitalized on one of its early opportunities. Alyssa Gorecki corralled a pass from Kourtney Menches behind the net before cutting to the crease and jamming the puck past McGill's Brittany Smrke for her first goal as a Catamount.
 
McGill's Melodie Daoust answered back with an even-strength tally at the 6:32 mark of the second period. On a two-on-two rush, Daoust slipped just ahead of a Vermont defender and was able to fire a quick shot past Litchfield after receiving a pass from Atkinson. Alison MacKenzie was credited with the secondary assist on Daoust's first goal of the season.
 
Just past the midway mark of the second period the Catamounts made a pre-planned goaltending switch. Sophomore Molly Depew came in for Litchfield who finished the afternoon with 12 saves.
 
In the final minute of the second period the Martlets took the lead for good on the power play. Emily Davies fired a point shot that Atkinson was able to redirect past a screened Depew to push McGill ahead with 22 seconds left on the clock.
 
Vermont was able to get seven shots on goal in the third period but they couldn't equalize. McGill's goaltender Smrke was injured with 9:23 left in the third period and sophomore Kayla Loberg came in and saw her first collegiate action. Lonberg was credited with two saves as the Martlets protected their one-goal lead. The Martlets are also missing veteran goaltender Taylor Hough, who suffered an undisclosed injury in training camp and has yet to play in any of their seven preseason games.

Vermont (0-1) opens their regular season Friday afternoon wjhen they host No. 9 Bemidji State in the first game of a two-game series. McGill, which improved to 2-5, has five games remaining on their extensive preseason schedule. The Martlets will host Queen's and the newly renamed Montreal Canadiennes (formerly the Stars) of the CWHL at McConnell Arena, Oct. 2-3, respectively.
 
LINK TO COMPLETE BOXSCORE

SCORING SUMMARY
McGill 2 at Vermont 1
(Sunday, September 27, 2015 - EXHIBITION; Gutterson Fieldhouse)

GOALS BY PERIOD:
McGill 0-2-0 -- 2
Vermont 0-1-0 -- 1

1st Period-
(No Scoring).

Penalties-Vermont Bench (too many men; served by Drobot), 6:20; Pate Uvm (holding), 6:20; Cagianos Mcg (elbowing), 11:16.

2nd Period-
1, Vermont, Alyssa Gorecki 1 (Menches), 1:49.
2, McGill, Melodie Daoust 1 (Atkinson, MacKenzie), 6:32.
3, McGill, Olivia Atkinson 2 (Davies, Constantinou), 19:38 (PP).

Penalties-Fouracres Mcg (interference), 15:20; Andreakos Uvm (interference), 17:40.

3rd Period-
(No Scoring).

Penalties-Davidson Mcg (tripping), 13:00; Andreakos Uvm (slashing), 14:55.

Shots on Goal-
McGill 8-10-9 -- 27.
Vermont 5-10-7 -- 22.

Power Play Opportunities-
McGill 1 / 3;
Vermont 0 / 3.

Goalies-
McGill,
Brittany Smrke (Start; W, 2-5-0, 20 shots-19 saves; 50:37);
Kayla Loberg (ND, 2 shots-2 saves; 9:23).

Vermont,
Madison Litchfield (Start, ND; 13 shots-12 saves; 30:49);
Molly Depew (L, 0-1-0, 14 shots-13 saves; 28:08).

Attendance: 146
Start: 2:01 PM
End: 3:56 PM
Length: 1:55

Referees-Jeremy Letourneau, Scott Prim.
Linesmen-Evan Knox, Tim Nichols.

THREE STARS
1. MCG - 2 Olivia Atkinson
2. MCG - 17 Melodie Daoust
3. UVM - 23 Alyssa Gorecki

SOURCE:
Nich Hall (Vermont Sports Info Office)
and
Earl Zukerman (McGill Sports Info Office)