BURLINGTON, VT. (1/2/09) – Austin Smith (Dallas, Texas) posted his first three-point game of his collegiate career and David McIntyre (Pefferlaw, Ont.) kept his consecutive point streak in tact with a goal and an assist, but it wasn't enough as the 13th-ranked Vermont Catamounts downed Colgate 6-4 in the opening round of the Sheraton/TD Banknorth Catamount Cup, Friday evening at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

After Vermont netted its fourth power play goal of the game at 1:34 of the third by Wahsontiio Stacey, the Raiders, who fell to 5-8-4 overall, put on a ferocious comeback attempt.  Mark Anderson (Hastings, Neb.) started the comeback at 4:16 with his first of the season off a blast from out top.  Smith and McIntyre were both credited with a helper on the goal.  Less than a minute later, McIntyre beat goalie Mike Spillane for the second time in a 42-second span.  Smith and Ethan Cox (Richmond, B.C.) assisted on the junior's eighth of the year.  McIntyre's two points extended his point streak to eight consecutive games.  The junior has 10 points during that span.  Smith, who posted a career-high goal and two assists versus the Catamounts, also upped his point total to 11 points in his last eight appearances.

Colgate pulled within two at 6-4 at 6:55 with the man advantage.  On a four on three, Nick St. Pierre (St. Etienne, Que.) and Jason Fredricks (Eagle River, Wisc.) teamed up with Jason Williams (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) as the junior deposited his second of the year behind Spillane.

Vermont went into the first intermission with a 3-0 advantage.  The Catamounts capitalized on two power plays in the opening 20 minutes, including the opening marker by Justin Milo at 10:08.  After Peter Lenes upped the lead to 2-0 at 14:13, Brian Roloff tallied the second power play of the period at 15:55.  Colgate goalie Charles Long (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) saved nine shots in the opening period before being replaced by Alex Evin (Castlegar, B.C.).

After Lenes posted his second goal of the game at 9:10 of the second period, Colgate broke on the board at 10:24 as Smith posted his team-high second shorthanded goal of the game and ninth of the year.  For Smith, his goal total moved into a tie with Brian Day (Danvers, Mass.) for the team lead.
Vermont, which outshot Colgate 30-18, went four of eight on the power play, while the Raiders were successful once in five opportunities.  Evin finished with 15 saves over the final two periods.

Colgate will return to action Saturday as it plays Ferris State in the consolation game.  Opening face-off is set for 4 p.m.

Box Score