University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Providence
Mass Attack Skates To 4-4 Tie At Providence
January 05, 2012 | Hockey
Jan. 5, 2012
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Providence took the lead with 1:39 remaining in regulation, but senior Danny Hobbs answered for UMass with a 6-on-5 goal with 37 seconds left to help the UMass hockey team to a 4-4 tie on Thursday night at Schneider Arena. The Minutemen are now 6-8-5 overall, 2-6-4 in Hockey East, while the Friars move to 8-8-2 on the year and 6-4-1 in conference play.
The line of senior T.J. Syner (two assists), Branden Gracel (two assists) and Conor Sheary (goal, assist) combined for six points for the Mass Attack, while defenseman Joel Hanley had a multi-point night, as well, with two helpers.
On UMass' second power play opportunity of the night, it was Providence who managed to score and get out to a 1-0 lead at the 12:05 mark in the opening period. Coming down on a 2-on-1 Andy Balysky drove a shot short side past Kevin Boyle to put the Friars on the board off a feed from Ross Mauermann and Daniel New.
Before the frame was through, however, the Minutemen netted an equalizer at 17:21. Down along the goal line, Gracel flung a puck towards the crease that Sheary was able to pick up through traffic and bang home to extend his point scoring streak to three straight games. Hanley picked up a secondary assist on the tally, as well.
After controlling the bulk of the possession early in the second, the Mass Attack eventually pulled in front, 2-1. Senior T.J. Syner sent a pass to Sheary who fed Michael Marcou at the point. Marcou's slapper rung under the cross bar 7:52 into the period.
However, Providence promptly leveled the score at 2-2 at the start of the second. Shane Luke connected with Steven Shamanski who found the back of the net 2:38 into the action.
UMass briefly regained the lead at the 6:19 mark. Sophomore Colin Shea collected a pass at the blue line from Gracel in the slot and sent it down low to classmate Patrick Kiley at the doorstep for Kiley's first career goal.
The Friars pulled even once again, though, moments later. With the Minutemen unable to clear the zone, Drew Brown centered the puck from the corner for Tim Schaller 8:02 into the period.
Then with the clock winding down, Stefan Demopoulos skated in to the UMass zone and gave Providence back the lead for the first time since the opening period, scoring on a wrister high over Boyle's glove from Myles Harvey and Damian Cross at the 18:21 mark.
In the final seconds of regulation, Hanley fired a shot that went wide and was picked up by Syner behind the net and centered for Hobbs. Hobbs came through with the extra man goal for the Minutemen at 19:23 to force the extra period.
UMass successfully killed off a too many men on the ice penalty in the final 1:24 of overtime to earn the tie as both teams finished 0-5 on the power play. Providence had a slight edge in shots on the evening, 33-32, with Alex Beaudry stopping 28 in net for the Friars. Boyle made 29 saves for the Minutemen and is now 5-3-4 on the year.
UMass will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 7, taking on Vermont at 4:00 p.m. in Fenway Park as a part of Sun Life Frozen Fenway 2012.
