2008 Woodie Awards
Thomas' star shines brightest in UVM reunion
Bruins' goalie sparkles against former Catamount teammates
JOSH APPELBAUM (Cynic Correspondent)
Issue date: 12/5/06 Section: Sports
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It may not have taken place in the cozy confines of the Gutterson Fieldhouse, but Thursday night's NHL matchup between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning at the TD Banknorth Garden held a nostalgic air of homecoming for a few former Catamounts.
With serious bragging rights on the line, Bruins' goaltender Tim Thomas bested his former UVM teammates Martin St. Louis and Eric Perrin by leading the Black and Gold to a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory.
In a game that featured some of hockey's greatest talents - Bruins' mammoth defenseman Zdeno Chara, 21 year old phenom Patrice Bergeron and the Bolts' Canadian dynamo Vincent Lecavalier - it was a trio of '97 Catamount graduates that stole the show.
Displaying the same finishing touch that made him the Cats' all time leading goal scorer (107), Perrin took advantage of an odd man break and unleashed a rocket past his former teammate Thomas at 17:08 of the first period. Perrin's strike was his sixth goal of the year and knotted the score at one.
The Cats connection continued into the second period as St. Louis lit the lamp shorthanded at 4:44 to give the Lightning a 2-1 advantage. The lone assist on St. Louis' 16th tally of the season went to none other than Perrin. The combination still holds the UVM record for most points in a season with 85 each in the 95-96 campaign.
Still, the UVM spotlight shined brightest on Thomas early in the third. Capitalizing on a Boston defensive miscue, Lightning center Brad Richards feathered a cross ice feed to an uncovered St. Louis. However, Thomas - the all time Catamount wins leader at 81 - sprawled full extension to his right and devoured St. Louis' attempt at the wide open net.
Thomas, epitomizing a true team player, modestly downplayed his spectacular highlight reel save. He was simply happy to help out the team, "Everything was happening so fast," said the Bruins' netminder. "I had more saves to come."
However, for St. Louis, such an incredible individual effort from Thomas was nothing out of the ordinary. "He made a good play," said the Cats' all-time points leader (276). "He's that type of goalie. He doesn't give up. Praise to him."
With serious bragging rights on the line, Bruins' goaltender Tim Thomas bested his former UVM teammates Martin St. Louis and Eric Perrin by leading the Black and Gold to a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory.
In a game that featured some of hockey's greatest talents - Bruins' mammoth defenseman Zdeno Chara, 21 year old phenom Patrice Bergeron and the Bolts' Canadian dynamo Vincent Lecavalier - it was a trio of '97 Catamount graduates that stole the show.
Displaying the same finishing touch that made him the Cats' all time leading goal scorer (107), Perrin took advantage of an odd man break and unleashed a rocket past his former teammate Thomas at 17:08 of the first period. Perrin's strike was his sixth goal of the year and knotted the score at one.
The Cats connection continued into the second period as St. Louis lit the lamp shorthanded at 4:44 to give the Lightning a 2-1 advantage. The lone assist on St. Louis' 16th tally of the season went to none other than Perrin. The combination still holds the UVM record for most points in a season with 85 each in the 95-96 campaign.
Still, the UVM spotlight shined brightest on Thomas early in the third. Capitalizing on a Boston defensive miscue, Lightning center Brad Richards feathered a cross ice feed to an uncovered St. Louis. However, Thomas - the all time Catamount wins leader at 81 - sprawled full extension to his right and devoured St. Louis' attempt at the wide open net.
Thomas, epitomizing a true team player, modestly downplayed his spectacular highlight reel save. He was simply happy to help out the team, "Everything was happening so fast," said the Bruins' netminder. "I had more saves to come."
However, for St. Louis, such an incredible individual effort from Thomas was nothing out of the ordinary. "He made a good play," said the Cats' all-time points leader (276). "He's that type of goalie. He doesn't give up. Praise to him."
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