This Friday (Oct. 21) the Vermont Sled Cats will play host to the 3rd Annual Green Mountain Classic at C. Douglass Cairns Arena in South Burlington, Vt. The Classic kicks off the 2011-12 Northeast Sled Hockey League season and all statistics will go toward the league records. This tournament will also be the first games for the two newest teams to the NESHL: the New Jersey Freeze and the Western Mass Knights. Listed below are the games for Vermont only.

FRIDAY: Game against NEP Wildcats, 4 p.m.
SATURDAY: Game against NJ Freeze, 8:15 a.m.
Game against NY Rangers, 12:00 p.m.
Game against Western Mass Knights, 1:15 p.m.

Mike Hallman scored two goals in the first period to help the PA Center-Pedes to a 7-0 win against the VT Sled Cats. The game was first of two for PA while VT saw its season end with the loss. The Sled Cats end the regular season 0-12.

In the first period, Hallman scored two goals while Tim Jones buried a goal as well. The Center-Pedes peppered Sled Cat goalie Tyler Parker with 14 first-period shots. Adrien Burnett and Mike McDevitt recorded two assists apiece in the opening period. Sled Cat forward Eric Gissendanner’s shot on net from the blue line was the only shot goalie Kevin Blaine faced in the period.

The second period was much the same as the first. PA’s puck-cycle in its offensive zone kept the VT skaters off-balance, causing long shifts and an exhausting time chasing the puck. The Sled Cats would try to clear the puck but defensemen Jon Grazaitis, D.J. Wilson, Mike Doyle and Hallman all held the blue line with authority. Forwards Ray Beck and Danny McDevitt each tallied a goal in the second period. The PA defense kept VT shotless in the period. Long-time defenseman Doyle registered his first goal of the day with a shot from the blue line that fluttered through traffic with an assist from Burnett.

Sled Cat goalie, Parker recorded 30 saves in the loss while Blaine turned away three shots for the shutout.

The Sled Cats have been placed in the Adult-B Division for this year's Northeast Sled Hockey Tournament at Amelia Park in Westfield, Mass. This year's tournament features two Adult pools with four teams in each pool. Joining Vermont in the B pool are the Connecticut Wolf Pack, Buffalo Jr. Sabres and Western Mass Knights. Last year, the Sled Cats placed 3rd in the pool after defeating Western Mass in back-to-back games. Individual game-times have not been released, but the three-day tournament will begin Friday, April 15.

In an exhibition game against the UVM All-Stars, the Sled Cats skated to an impressive win at Gutterson Fieldhouse. It was a game played more for the fun of it than the statistical aspect. Led by former All-American Ted Castle, the All-Stars were able to raise $750 that will go toward the purchase of a new goalie sled for the Sled Cats.

After a team-vote, this year's captain and assistant captains have been named. Sandy Craige will continue as team captain, a position he has held since 2007. Goalie Patrick Standen and forwards Cathy Rodgers and Bryan Bathalon were chosen as assistant captains. Standen has been an assistant since '07 while Rodgers and Bathalon will serve for the first time in their playing careers. Congratulations to those chosen.

Vermont (0-4) closed out its 2nd Annual Green Mountain Classic with a 5-0 consolation game loss to Connecticut (1-3). The Sled Cats played strong throughout the tournament despite failing to register a goal in four games. Opposing players and coaches voiced their opinion on how improved the current Sled Cats are compared to last year's team. Vermont has Halloween weekend off but return to practice Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. NESHL games resume Nov. 21 in Newington, Ct.

VT: 7; Western Mass: 1
With a win already under their belts, the SledCats took to the ice in Saturday night's consolation against the Western Massachusetts Knights. VT struck early after Eric Gissendanner buried the puck low glove-side, giving the SledCats a lead they would not surrender. Ensuing goals by Cleary Buckley and John McArdle launched the team to a lop-sided 5-0 lead entering the final period. Eric Rose scored his second goal in as many games after fighting through traffic in front of the net. Moments later, Rose connected with Buckley to register the team's final goal. A late tally by Western Mass spoiled SledCat goalie Patrick Standen's shutout attempt. "It was a good shot," Standen said. "Could've happened to anyone. We won and that's what is important." The win gave VT its second win of the tournament (2-2), a true testament of how much the team has improved since its 2009 New England Sled Hockey Tournament debut in which they placed 4th after going 0-5. "We've come a long way," said team captain Sandy Craige. "It's nice to close out the season on such a high note."

Check out this video about the Vermont SledCats and NDAA posted on YouTube!

SledCats

VT vs. PA / VT vs. NEP

Browse these photos taken during the Green Mountain Classic. Green Mountain Classic 2009 VT vs. NEP / Green Mountain Classic 2009 VT vs. PA / Green Mountain Classic 2009 VT vs. NY / Green Mountain Classic 2009 VT vs. CT / Green Mountain Classic 2009 dinner party photos