University of Massachusets Athletics
Friday, December 1
Amherst, Mass.
7 P.M.
University of Massachusetts
8-6-0, 3-3-0HEA
4
vs
2
UConn
6-11-2, 4-7-1HEA
1
2
3
F
UConn
2
0
0
2
Massachusetts
1
3
0
4
Hockey Tops UConn, 4-2, For Third Straight Win
December 01, 2017 | Hockey
The Minutemen scored three goals in a span of 1:18, a program record, en route to the victory.
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts hockey scored three goals in a program-record one-minute, 18-second span to rally past UConn for a 4-2 win on Friday night at the Mullins Center. The victory, the squad's third straight, moves the Minutemen to 8-6-0 on the season, 3-3-0 in Hockey East, while the Huskies fall to 6-11-2, 4-7-1 in league action, snapping a three-game winning streak.
"I'm really, really proud of my team," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "The penalty seven seconds into the game unfortunately set us back on our heels, allowed them to score and then another power play by them, but 5-on-5 I thought we were outstanding tonight. We had a full week to prepare for these guys and I thought our game plan was executed very well by our guys. Our compete was there. I thought we were really good tonight. I was really concerned because UConn's been playing very well and we didn't have much to show for it halfway through the game. Those three goals in a minute and 18 seconds at the end of the second period were well deserved. We were buzzing, we were out-working them for a good stretch and it's a good confidence builder for my team. These kids are figuring out their identity, they're figuring out what makes them a good team and I'm just really proud of them."
UConn opened the scoring just 66 seconds into the contest, capitalizing on an early power play opportunity. Maxim Letunov and Jesse Schwartz set up the Alexander Payusov tally.
The Minutemen answered quickly, knotting the score at 1-1 at the 2:40 mark. Junior Austin Plevy and freshman George Mika fed redshirt sophomore Josh Couturier on the rush as he netted his second of the season from the top of the left faceoff circle.
The Huskies added another with the man advantage before the end of the period, though. Benjamin Freeman redirected in a puck from Joseph Masonius and Miles Gendron for the power-play goal 14:18 into the stanza that put UConn back in front, 2-1.
The score held at 2-1 until the closing 1:57 of the second period when UMass rattled off three goals to tie and take the lead. Mika began the charge, rifling a shot past Adam Huska from just inside the UConn blueline off a nifty drop pass from freshman Cale Makar at the 18:03 mark. Sophomore Niko Hildenbrand earned an assist on the play, as well.
Sophomore Jack Suter followed with his first of the season just 29 seconds later, knocking home a feed from juniors Brett Boeing and Kurt Keats.
Freshman Mitchell Chaffee followed with the Minutemen's fourth tally at the 19:21 mark to push the advantage to 4-2, cleaning up a rebound in the slot from junior Ivan Chukarov and freshman Oliver Chau. Chaffee's goal extending his point streak to five straight games and his goal scoring streak to three games.
UMass finished with a 31-27 shot advantage and went 0-for-6 on the power play, while the Huskies were 2-for-4. Sophomore Ryan Wischow made 25 saves to pick up his fifth win of the season (5-1-0), while Huska stopped 27 in net for UConn.
The teams will be back in action on Tuesday, December 5, when the Minutemen and Huskies will meet in Hartford, Connecticut at 7:05 p.m.
For continued coverage of UMass hockey, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@UMassHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.
"I'm really, really proud of my team," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "The penalty seven seconds into the game unfortunately set us back on our heels, allowed them to score and then another power play by them, but 5-on-5 I thought we were outstanding tonight. We had a full week to prepare for these guys and I thought our game plan was executed very well by our guys. Our compete was there. I thought we were really good tonight. I was really concerned because UConn's been playing very well and we didn't have much to show for it halfway through the game. Those three goals in a minute and 18 seconds at the end of the second period were well deserved. We were buzzing, we were out-working them for a good stretch and it's a good confidence builder for my team. These kids are figuring out their identity, they're figuring out what makes them a good team and I'm just really proud of them."
UConn opened the scoring just 66 seconds into the contest, capitalizing on an early power play opportunity. Maxim Letunov and Jesse Schwartz set up the Alexander Payusov tally.
The Minutemen answered quickly, knotting the score at 1-1 at the 2:40 mark. Junior Austin Plevy and freshman George Mika fed redshirt sophomore Josh Couturier on the rush as he netted his second of the season from the top of the left faceoff circle.
The Huskies added another with the man advantage before the end of the period, though. Benjamin Freeman redirected in a puck from Joseph Masonius and Miles Gendron for the power-play goal 14:18 into the stanza that put UConn back in front, 2-1.
The score held at 2-1 until the closing 1:57 of the second period when UMass rattled off three goals to tie and take the lead. Mika began the charge, rifling a shot past Adam Huska from just inside the UConn blueline off a nifty drop pass from freshman Cale Makar at the 18:03 mark. Sophomore Niko Hildenbrand earned an assist on the play, as well.
Sophomore Jack Suter followed with his first of the season just 29 seconds later, knocking home a feed from juniors Brett Boeing and Kurt Keats.
Freshman Mitchell Chaffee followed with the Minutemen's fourth tally at the 19:21 mark to push the advantage to 4-2, cleaning up a rebound in the slot from junior Ivan Chukarov and freshman Oliver Chau. Chaffee's goal extending his point streak to five straight games and his goal scoring streak to three games.
UMass finished with a 31-27 shot advantage and went 0-for-6 on the power play, while the Huskies were 2-for-4. Sophomore Ryan Wischow made 25 saves to pick up his fifth win of the season (5-1-0), while Huska stopped 27 in net for UConn.
The teams will be back in action on Tuesday, December 5, when the Minutemen and Huskies will meet in Hartford, Connecticut at 7:05 p.m.
For continued coverage of UMass hockey, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@UMassHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.
Team Stats
UCONN
UMASS
Shots
27
31
PPG
2
0
SHG
0
0
Penalties
6
4
Penalty Mins
12
8
Faceoffs Won
23
31
Game Leaders
+/-
+2
Goals
1
Sh
4
A
1
+/-
+3
Goals
1
Sh
4
A
0
+/-
+1
Goals
1
Sh
1
A
0
+/-
+1
Goals
1
Sh
1
A
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Hockey
D
/ Hockey
D
/ Hockey
F
/ Hockey
F
/ Hockey
F
/ Hockey
F
/ Hockey
G
/ HockeyNewMass Minute; One Last Ride at Mathews
Thursday, December 04
UMass Hockey | Players Press Conference vs. Providence | 11.22.25
Saturday, November 22
UMass Hockey | Greg Carvel Postgame Press Conference vs. Providence | 11.22.25
Saturday, November 22
UMass IH | Post Game Press Conference vs Boston College | 11.15.25
Saturday, November 15