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University of Massachusets Athletics
Saturday, March 29
6:30 PM
University of Massachusetts
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Western Michigan University
#13/11 Massachusetts Hockey Falls To #3 Western Michigan, 2-1 In NCAA Regional Final
March 29, 2025 | Hockey
UMass took a 1-0 lead late into the second period, but a pair of power-play goals lifted No. 3 Western Michigan past the Minutemen
FARGO, N.D. – The No. 13/11 Massachusetts Minutemen took a 1-0 lead late into the second period, but a pair of power-play goals lifted No. 3 Western Michigan past the Minutemen 2-1 in the NCAA Fargo Regional Championship at Scheels Arena on Saturday. UMass ends the season with a record of 21-14-5.
"Always tough when your season ends, when careers come to an end for kids who you've gone through so much with, so it's tough, said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "I think Western Michigan is the number one offensive team in the country, and we didn't give up a 5-on-5 goal. I thought 5-on-5 we were a very good team. Special teams, they were better. I'm very proud of our group. In January, we were a .500 team. And tonight, you know, with a little more discipline in our game, maybe we're headed to the Frozen Four. I'm very proud of our group. Western Michigan is a very well-coached team. You know, we asked a lot about them and every coach was like 'they're really good, and they're very well-coached'. Their goaltender, I thought was spectacular tonight. but they were the better team with special better special teams, but I loved our game tonight. I'm very proud of our kids."
UMass opened the scoring midway through the first when freshman Daniel Jencko collected an outlet pass from graduate student Linden Alger in the neutral zone and sprung sophomore Dans Locmelis on a partial break. Locmelis skated in on Hampton Slukynsky and stickhandled around the netminder for his eighth goal of the season at the 8:50 mark.
After a minor to Aydar Suniev was escalated to a major penalty, the Broncos converted just 22 seconds into the power play. Liam Valente connected on a one-timer from the top of the right faceoff circle, set up by Samuel Sjolund and Owen Michaels 18:35 into the second period. Western Michigan then began the third period with 3:14 remaining on the major power play and converted once more at 2:47 into the frame. Tim Washe tipped home a Brian Kramer shot at the top of the crease with Joona Vaisanen earning the secondary helper.
The Broncos finished with a 30-29 shot advantage and went 2-for-4 on the power play, while UMass was 0-for-3.
Sophomore netminder Michael Hrabal logged 28 saves for the Minutemen and Slukynsky stopped 28 for Western Michigan.
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"Always tough when your season ends, when careers come to an end for kids who you've gone through so much with, so it's tough, said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "I think Western Michigan is the number one offensive team in the country, and we didn't give up a 5-on-5 goal. I thought 5-on-5 we were a very good team. Special teams, they were better. I'm very proud of our group. In January, we were a .500 team. And tonight, you know, with a little more discipline in our game, maybe we're headed to the Frozen Four. I'm very proud of our group. Western Michigan is a very well-coached team. You know, we asked a lot about them and every coach was like 'they're really good, and they're very well-coached'. Their goaltender, I thought was spectacular tonight. but they were the better team with special better special teams, but I loved our game tonight. I'm very proud of our kids."
UMass opened the scoring midway through the first when freshman Daniel Jencko collected an outlet pass from graduate student Linden Alger in the neutral zone and sprung sophomore Dans Locmelis on a partial break. Locmelis skated in on Hampton Slukynsky and stickhandled around the netminder for his eighth goal of the season at the 8:50 mark.
After a minor to Aydar Suniev was escalated to a major penalty, the Broncos converted just 22 seconds into the power play. Liam Valente connected on a one-timer from the top of the right faceoff circle, set up by Samuel Sjolund and Owen Michaels 18:35 into the second period. Western Michigan then began the third period with 3:14 remaining on the major power play and converted once more at 2:47 into the frame. Tim Washe tipped home a Brian Kramer shot at the top of the crease with Joona Vaisanen earning the secondary helper.
The Broncos finished with a 30-29 shot advantage and went 2-for-4 on the power play, while UMass was 0-for-3.
Sophomore netminder Michael Hrabal logged 28 saves for the Minutemen and Slukynsky stopped 28 for Western Michigan.
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