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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
10-21-2, 5-16-1
Connecticut
10-17-7, 7-11-4
UMass Hockey Drops Regular Season Finale, 4-0 At UConn
February 27, 2015 | Hockey
HARTFORD, Conn. - The UMass hockey team out-shot Connecticut in each of the final two periods, but was unable to overcome an early 2-0 deficit, falling 4-0 to the Huskies in the regular season finale. Following the loss, the Minutemen sit at 10-21-2 overall, 5-16-1 in Hockey East, while UConn improves to 10-17-7 overall and 7-11-4 in conference action
Connecticut took a 1-0 lead 8:38 into the first period when Shawn Pauly skated the puck down the slot and put one past Steve Mastalerz off an outlet feed from Trevor Gerling and Ryan Segalla.
The Huskies then increased their advantage to 2-0 as Corey Ronan found Patrick Kirtland in front with a pass from behind the net at 13:33. Jesse Schwartz earned an assist on the play as well.
Gerling made it a 3-0 margin 6:49 into the second with a tough angle shot from left wing that chased Mastalerz from the game.
At the 9:48 mark of the third period, UConn capped off the scoring with Cody Sharib finishing off a give-and-go from Joey Ferris and Ryan Tyson.
UMass had several chances to score in the contest with pucks dancing across the net mouth, but all 29 shots were turned aside by Rob Nichols, who collected his fourth shutout of the season. Mastalerz stopped 11 shots for the Minutemen and Henry Dill Made 17 saves in the final 33:10 as the Huskies totaled 32 shots on target.
On the penalty kill, UMass was 4-for-4 on the night, while going 0-for-6 on the power play. The Minutemen won 34 of 62 draws (54.8%), led by freshman Dennis Kravchenko's 15-for-24 (62.5%) effort over the dots. Junior Shane Walsh had a team-high five shots on net in the contest.
With Hockey East action wrapping up tomorrow night, UMass will await its travel destination for the league tournament, which opens next weekend.
