University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
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#19 Boston University
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UMass Hockey Falls In Opener At #19 BU, 3-1
October 11, 2013 | Hockey
Oct. 11, 2013
BOSTON - The UMass hockey team managed 40 shots on Friday night at #19 Boston University, but three goals for the Terriers in a span of six minutes, 30 seconds in the second period led to a 3-1 setback for the Minutemen in the 2013-14 season opener.
The teams were scoreless through one, though UMass nearly broke up the 0-0 deadlock, sending a puck trickling across the goal line in the final moments of the period. The Minutemen killed off three BU power plays in the frame, including a five-minute major.
Then in the second, the Terriers struck for their first of the night just 1:02 into the period. Garrett Noonan ripped in the tally from the top of the slot off a feed from Ahti Oksanen and Evan Rodrigues.
At the 5:07 mark, Boston University increased its advantage to 2-0. Tommy Kelly fired a one-timer from close range past netminder Steve Mastalerz, set up by Cason Hohmann from the left faceoff circle. Oksanen picked up the secondary assist for his second point of the night. The Terriers added their third 7:32 into the stanza with Oksanen setting up Rodrigues on the rush.
Conor Sheary nearly put UMass on the board 9:56 into the second. On a breakaway by Sheary, BU netminder Sean Maguire went into the net while making the save, but upon review it was determined that the puck did not cross the goal line.
The Minutemen went on to withstand a lengthy 5-on-3 that extended into the third period after Brandon Wahlin, Oleg Yevenko and Joel Hanley were all sent to the box with penalties at 18:11, 19:06 and 19:32 of the second, respectively.
Midway though the third, UMass cut into the Terriers' lead with a power play goal by freshman Steven Iacobellis for his first of his collegiate career. A point-to-point pass from Colin Shea to Adam Phillips set up Iacobellis for a quick strike from the top of the left faceoff circle at the 10:24 mark.
Senior Michael Pereira was inches away from making it a one-goal game, but hit the post with seven minutes to play in the contest. The Minutemen had two more late power play opportunities in the frame, but could not complete the comeback.
UMass finished with a 40-24 advantage in shots and won 34 of 63 faceoffs. Mastalerz totaled 21 saves for the Minutemen, while Maguire had 39 for BU. UMass went 1-for-7 on the power play for the evening, while Boston University was 1-for-6.
The Minutemen will return to action tomorrow night, Saturday, Oct. 12, for a non-conference meeting with UMass Lowell at 7 p.m. in the Tsongas Center.
