University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
2-4-0, 1-3-0HEA
Maine
2-4-1, 1-0-0HEA
Maine Bests UMass Hockey, 6-5 In Overtime
October 31, 2014 | Hockey
ORONO, Maine - The UMass hockey team erased mutli-goal deficits on two occasions, but Maine managed to come out on top, 6-5, with the game-winner 53 seconds into overtime on Friday night at Alfond arena. Following the setback, the Minutemen are now 2-4-0 overall, 1-3-0 in Hockey East, while the Black Bears improve to 2-4-1 on the year and 1-0-0 in league action.
Freshmen provided three of UMass' five tallies on the evening, including Dennis Kravchenko's first two of his collegiate career. Kravchenko added an assist, as well, for a three-point night and is the third member of the freshman class to log a multi-point game this season. Classmate Patrick Lee registered a goal and an assist for his second multi-point game of the year, while redshirt senior captain Troy Power picked up his first two points of the 2014-15 campaign with a pair of helpers. Senior Mike Busillo scored the first goal of his career and sophomore Ray Pigozzi had his second tally in the past three contests.
Maine took an early 1-0 lead, capitalizing on the first power play opportunity of the night at the 3:58 mark. Malcom Hayes put in a rebound off a Brian Morgan shot for his second of the season.
Then 11:27 into the stanza, the Black Bears increased the margin to 2-0. Ben Hutton's initial chance was denied by UMass netminder Henry Dill, but Cam Brown knocked in the loose puck.
The Minutemen's deficit expanded to 3-0 with a goal from Steven Swavely just 1:19 into the second period.
UMass answered though, first cutting the margin to 3-1 with Kravchenko's first career tally. After connecting with an outlet pass from Power and sophomore Marc Hetnik just outside the Minutemen's zone, the Laguna Niguel, Calif., native flew past several Maine players on the way to the net 6:35 into the second.
Kravchenko proceeded to make it a one-goal game just six minutes, 30 seconds later, scoring on a wraparound after senior Oleg Yevenko won the puck in the corner.
The Minutemen then tied the score at 3-3 at the 15:07 mark of the second period as Pigozzi finished off a pass from redshirt sophomore Frank Vatrano and sophomore Steven Iacobellis on the rush while falling to the ice.
However, Maine pulled back on top with 20 seconds remaining in the frame. Connor Leen picked off the puck on a clearing attempt and fed Devin Shore for the squad's fourth goal of the night.
Swavely gave the Black Bears back a two-goal lead 3:49 into the third with his second of the contest from Liam Pecararo and Nolan Vesey.
Lee then closed the gap to 5-4 at the 6:39 mark of the third period, driving home his second of the season from the slot off a behind the net pass from Power and Kravchenko.
Lee later set up the tying goal with 1:55 left in regulation, sending the puck out to the point for a blast by Busillo that leveled the score at 5-5.
Morgan gave Maine the victory, though, scoring his first of the season from Shore and Conor Riley 53 seconds into overtime.
The Black Bears ended the night with a 36-28 shot advantage and were 1-for-3 on the power play, while UMass was 0-for-1 with the man advantage. Dill registered 30 saves in net for the Minutemen and Matt Morris finished with 23 stops for Maine.
The teams will meet again tomorrow night, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. in Alfond Arena.
