After a tying with No. 15 UMass Amherst in the first game of their weekend series, the UConn men’s ice hockey team battled for a game two victory to edge out the weekend advantage.
The weekend was split between both team’s home venues, with game one being played at the Mullins Center in Amherst, Mass., while game two took place at Tuscano Family Ice Forum in Storrs, Conn. Prior to this series, the Huskies had not defeated the Minutemen since January of 2023. UMass boasted a 10-16-3 record over UConn coming into the weekend.
UMass immediately erased the deficit, scoring a goal just 40 seconds into the period. Second-year Jack Musa snagged a UConn pass out of the air, before sliding a pass to third-year Cole O’Hara who buried the Minutemen’s second goal. UMass nearly took the lead in the same period, but due to a goalie interference, it was overturned. UConn ended the second on top when third-year forward Tristan Frasier had his shot deflected, before third-year Ryan Tattle shoveled the rebound past the goalie to take a 3-2 lead.
In a grueling third period, the Huskies kept the Minutemen at bay as neither team was able to gain an offensive advantage. UMass pulled their goalie in a last-ditch effort, and as the clock wound down, second-year Ayden Suniev tied the game and forced overtime.
The overtime period was reminiscent of period three, a back-and-forth affair where neither team could establish an upper hand. The overtime was highlighted by a diving save by third-year goalie Tyler Muszelik to keep both teams locked in a stalemate, resulting in a 3-3 final score.
As the clock struck zero, the Hockey East standings advantage would be decided in a sudden death shootout. In the eighth round, fourth-year Lucas Mercuri converted on his attempt to award the Minutemen the extra point towards the conference standings.
On Saturday, UConn once again took the first lead in the contest. The Huskies sent out their penalty kill unit to repel the UMass power play. Third-year Jake Percival managed to sneak away with the puck, getting a one-on-one chance with the keeper where he knocked in the shorthanded goal with 12 seconds left on the power play clock. Muszelik kept the Huskies on top, making a staggering 11 saves in the first period.
The Huskies continued their dominance into the second period. As the Huskies controlled the puck in the offensive zone for over a minute, Percival was able to net his second goal of the game, stuffing the shot past the goalie to give UConn a 2-0 advantage. As the period continued, UConn scored their third unanswered goal with less than five minutes to play in the second. Second-year Joey Muldowney flicked a pass backwards to Richard, who ripped the puck to the far side of the goal, where Muldowney was able to tap in his first goal of the weekend. UMass finally managed to get on the board at the end of the period, as fifth-year Linden Alger scored after a faceoff win, to make the game 3-1 going into the final period.
UConn’s penalty kill unit was put to work in the third period as the Huskies committed three penalties. With five minutes to go in the game, the Minutemen capitalized on their man advantage, bringing the game within one as Musa scored on an assist from second-year Dans Locmelis. UConn’s defensive line was able to hold off UMass for the remainder of the game, to secure the 3-2 upset victory.
The Minutemen narrowly outshot the Huskies 29-28, but a stellar performance by Muszelik in goal helped UConn hold on to their lead. The New Hampshire transfer made 27 saves in the game to propel UConn to the win.
UConn will defend its home ice next weekend as they welcome The University of Vermont to both the XL Center and Tuscano Family Ice Forum in a two-game set, the puck drop is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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