BURLINGTON, VT. – Goals from Nic Belpedio and Matt Verboon and 43 saves by Andrew Farrier capped a 2-1 victory and weekend sweep of Vermont on Saturday night.
The Raiders improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2008 behind Verboon’s game-winning goal early in the third period. Belpedio’s second goal of the season came in the first period, while Alex Young (2) and Nick Anderson added assists in the victory.
Farrier was spectacular finishing with a career-high 43 saves, including 19 in a scoreless third period which allowed the Raiders to take the lead for good. He had 16 stops in the first period and eight in the second before the dominant final frame.
Vermont came out with the early pressure and struck first 2:37 into the game, marking the third straight game Colgate conceded the first goal of the contest. Farrier and the Colgate defense withstood the pressure and killed five penalties to keep it a one-goal game.
Colgate’s defense led to offense late in the period. Young skated behind the net with the puck and found Belpedio creeping in from the blue line. Belpedio in space picked his spot and blasted a slap shot past the Catamounts goalie to tie the game 1-1 at the first intermission.
The second period had a different script with defense controlling the pace. Farrier, playing in his first game of the 2021-22 season, stopped all eight shots he faced. His counterpart on the other end of the ice also made eight saves in a scoreless second stanza.
Colgate survived six penalties through the first two periods and the special teams paid off. After two quick Vermont penalties, it took just nine seconds on the 5-on-3 power play before Verboon gave Colgate its first lead. Nick Anderson from the point slid the puck across to the right, where Verboon rifled a one-timer high into the netting for the go-ahead goal.
The Raiders turned to Farrier for the rest of the night and the senior net minder was up to the task. He finished the period with a game-high 19 saves as Colgate held on for the 2-1 victory.
UP NEXT
Colgate makes its long-awaited home opener next weekend when the Raiders open a two-game series against Merrimack. Friday’s opening faceoff from Class of 1965 Arena is 7 p.m.
