The University of Vermont women are out to make Hockey East history against No. 5 Boston College on Friday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
The Catamounts want to “Pack The Gut” and shatter the Hockey East attendance record of 1,498 for a women’s hockey game.
“For our program to not have an experience to play in front of a huge crowd, we’re really excited to see what that feels like,” said UVM head coach Jim Plumer. “It’s going to be a fast-paced game and if we can get some fans and some energy in the building, it certainly will pick us up.”
The Catamounts (3-5-1; 1-1-0 HEA) have designated Meals on Wheels as the charity of the evening. Admission is $2. Donations for Meals on Wheels will be accepted. Proceeds from the chuck-a-puck contest and “Pack The Gut” t-shirt sales will benefit the program.
The evening is the idea of senior forward Dani Rancourt.
“It started in the empty rink last summer,” said Rancourt. “I thought how cool would it be to play in front of the big crowd. It’s my senior year; I figured it’s now or never, especially for me and the other seniors.”
Rancourt brought her idea to Plumer and athletic department officials, who threw their support behind the evening. Rancourt then approached former UVM hockey coach Mike Gilligan about a possible charity. “Gilly told me Meals on Wheels needed help. Since I’m a nutrition major, there was a connection,” said Rancourt, who interned with the program over the summer.
“What we expect is a good turnout. It looks like a lot of people are coming,” Rancourt said. “The record is 1,498, so 1,500 (is the target) but I want to get at least 3,000 in here but I’m hoping for the 4,007 sellout.”
UVM men’s coach Kevin Sneddon encouraged community support of the women’s endeavor. “We’re so fortunate that we always have a packed house here for our games. I would encourage the fans to come out and support the intiative first and foremost and really get a chance to see some excellent hockey,” Sneddon said.
“When the rink is full and the energy is in the building, it is an extra player on the ice for your team. It would be great for our women student-athletes to experience that,” he said.
The game is the first at The Gut after seven road games for UVM. BC (7-2-0; 3-1-0 HEA) is among the country’s top programs.
“We competed well with them,” said Plumer of last year’s meetings.
Of Friday’s game, Plumer said, “It would be huge for our program. It shows what creating an atmosphere can do, how much it can lift a team.
“We’ve had some fits-and-starts with the way we’ve played so far this year. We’re looking for an opportunity to make a big step forward and this would certainly be a great arena to do it in, figuratively and literally.”
Contact Free Press correspondent Ted Ryan at TedRyanVT@aol.com and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TedRyanVT
