AMHERST – Philip Lagunov authored the defining moment of the UMass hockey team’s national championship victory over St. Cloud State.
On a shorthanded breakaway with the Minutemen holding a two-goal lead, the then-senior pulled the puck away from Huskies defender Nick Perbix, then pushed it through Perbix’s legs to create a one-on-one opportunity with the St. Cloud State goalie and scored off his backhand. It cemented UMass’ advantage and kickstarted the celebrations in Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena.
“It’s essentially a dream come true. It took me some time to process that moment and that day, to unpack it,” Lagunov said. “ Obviously I cherish it. I take it for what it is. I had the opportunity and I took it.”
That was April 10, 2021. By April 15 he was headed to Vermont as a graduate transfer. Lagunov received an extra year of eligibility for playing through last year’s COVID-19-warped season and theoretically could have returned to the Minutemen for a fifth year like goaltender Matt Murray, who also entered the transfer portal. Instead, Lagunov opted for a Hockey East rival.
âš ï¸ ICYMI âš ï¸@UMassHockey‘s Philip Lagunov turned it up a notch with this one🥵🔥#SCTop10 #NationalChampionship x 🎥 @espn pic.twitter.com/AOJs4p19Kr
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 11, 2021
“It was a very unique situation. Being in the spots we were, coming off an amazing year, being very thankful for the experience that I had there and all the lessons I learned from the staff and my teammates, it was kind of the end of a chapter for me,” Lagunov said. “I finished my degree (in Operations and Information Management) and I knew I had an extra year of eligibility. I decided I wanted to see where I could take my game. When (Vermont) Coach (Todd) Woodcraft reached out to me, I had a lot of faith in his philosophy and what he wanted. It was a pretty quick decision for me.”
He felt a pull toward Vermont similar to the one that initially brought him to Amherst. The Minutemen were 5-29-2 the year before Lagunov arrived. They were under .500 his freshman year before stacking three of the greatest seasons in program history back-to-back-to-back. He compiled 16 goals and 22 assists in 128 career games. More than half of that production came in his first two seasons.
“Phil’s a good kid. I remember clearly him being homesick when he got here his first summer and taking him out to dinner. Just to make sure he was doing OK,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said. “As a freshman, I thought he was going to be a really, really good offensive player for us. He used to make some really high end plays, and for whatever reason those things didn’t continue to progress as I thought they would. But he was a really good kid. Just really good character kid to build your culture on.”
Woodcroft was counting on him being the same for Vermont. The Catamounts won just one game last in year in Woodcraft’s first season and were just 5-23 the season prior.
“From a team side, being able to play at UMass where the team was when I first came in and seeing where we took the program was, it’s hard to put into words, but I’m very proud of the process and the work ethic that was put into that time, the cultural development and the organization,” Lagunov said. “Woodcroft was going through the same process as my freshman year, and I knew I was going to be able to make a big impact with some of the younger guys on the team as well.”
Because he saw the process from its inception at UMass, Lagunov knows how long the road is at Vermont. The Catamounts are 6-21-2 this season and last in Hockey East with 14 points in 19 games. Lagunov has centered the top line for the whole season. His seven goals and 14 points lead the team, while his seven assists are tied for second on the team. He never had more than eight goals, nine assists or 15 points in a season as a Minuteman.
But more than scoring, Lagunov is providing advice and an example for Vermont’s younger players. The Catamounts have 10 first-year skaters and six sophomores on the roster.
“The season’s had its ebbs and flows. The biggest thing is the young kids are learning from their experience. They need to have their ice time and experience and to make sure when things aren’t going our way, learning how to react and respond in the proper manner,” Lagunov said. “If I can be any help in any of those areas, daily, my impact is worth it.”
Lagunov will face UMass for the first time this weekend when the Minutemen visit Burlington, Vt., for a two-game set Friday and Saturday, both at 7 p.m. He switched jersey numbers from No. 17 to No. 13 when he transferred, so he’ll potentially play someone wearing the same sweater he did for four years (Denver transfer Slava Demin wears No. 17 now, he’s played in 23 games this season but has been out of the lineup since a Jan. 30 win over UMass Lowell).
“I definitely had this weekend penciled into the calendar. It was more an excitement. I have a lot of brothers still in that locker room and a lot of great friends and basically family that I’ll treasure the rest of my life,” Lagunov said. “I’ve been looking forward to playing against them, it’s not something I was trying to shy away from. This is a moment I’ve been waiting for a little bit.”
His two linemates from last season – Cal Kiefiuk and Reed Lebster – are still in Amherst. Lebster fondly remembered playing poker with Lagunov and receiving help with homework.
“It’ll be weird to see him on the other team. I love Phil, it looks like he’s been doing well. I’m so happy for him. I miss playing with Phil, just his veteran presence,” Lebster said. “If I ever had a question or anything he would help me out with that. We just built that chemistry over the years.”
His time in Amherst still holds a special place in Lagunov’s heart, even as he watches the Green Mountains out of his car window on the way to the rink every day. They called the house he lived in with some other hockey players “The Jungle.”
Definitely a lot of legendary nights there and great times.
“I love those guys. They’re my family,” Lagunov said. “I wish them the best, not only now in everything that’s going on this year but going forward and in their future careers inside and outside of hockey.”
The feeling is mutual.
“I think he needed to get on and go to a different environment. I know in Vermont, they’re very happy with him. He’s a leader for them, which he should be. He learned lessons – hard lessons – here and carried them forward into Vermont. Phil’s a good kid. I’m happy for any success he’s had,” Carvel said. “Unless it comes this weekend.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.