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Men's Hockey Open Thread and Live Updates: UConn vs. Vermont, 8:35 p.m. | TV: NESN, SNY

The Huskies are home for the first time since skating to a tie with Merrimack Dec. 11.

By Tim Fontenault
Tage Thompson is second among UConn skaters with 18 points.
Tage Thompson is second among UConn skaters with 18 points.
Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog

Period-by-Period Updates

End 1st Period: UConn Leads, 1-0

The Huskies got an even strength goal by Max Letunov, assisted by Joe Masonius at 10:38 for the only goal of the first period as UConn takes a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

UConn failed to capitalize on two power play opportunities, getting a quick scoring chance on the first one but fizzling out after that. On the second power play, Vermont had the best opportunity when they had a 2-on-1 chance despite being shorthanded.

Vermont outshot UConn, 13-6 and face-offs were fairly even with UConn holding a slight advantage. Tanner Creel has been doing well in net for the injured Rob Nichols, making some very tough saves early on to keep his slate clean.

The UConn men's hockey team is back in Hartford for the first time in more than a month Friday night, as the Huskies begin a tough weekend with a home game against Vermont (8:35 p.m., NESN/SNY).

Play-by-play announcer Joel Goldberg and NESN hockey analyst Billy Jaffe will have the call for tonight's game, which is being produced by the American Sports Network. Fans can catch the action on NESN and SNY.

The Huskies (8-13-2, 4-7-2 Hockey East) have not been home for more than a month, but they have already played seven games in 2016. UConn beat Arizona State twice during a weeklong stay in Arizona, before taking the first of a two-game series at Maine. The Huskies beat the Black Bears 1-0 in the first game before skating to a 1-1 draw in Game 2.

Rob Nichols made 82 saves on 83 shot attempts in that series at Maine, earning him Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honors. He was also named the first star of the week by the NCAA. Nichols will likely miss a couple games after sustaining an injury during the second game at Maine. Tanner Creel starts in his place Friday.

Vermont (9-14-2, 3-7-2) sits two points behind the Huskies in the Hockey East standings and have a game in hand. The Catamounts have wins over three ranked opponents (Minnesota, Boston University, St. Lawrence), but they have failed to get into a rhythm this year, often losing multiple games in a row.

UConn visited Vermont earlier this season, falling 2-1 in a tight game at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

Here are the lines for tonight's game:

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