University of Massachusets Athletics
Saturday, February 28
Amherst, Mass.
7 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
vs
#13/14 UConn
#19 Massachusetts Hockey Secures Senior Night Shootout Win Over #13/14 UConn
February 28, 2026 | Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. – No. 19 Massachusetts hockey secured a seven-round shootout win over No. 13/14 UConn, 2-1, after skating to a 3-3 tie with the Huskies in front of a crowd of 7,932 at the Mullins Center on Senior Night. The Minutemen now sit at 19-12-1, 12-9-1 in league play, while UConn moves to 17-10-5, 11-8-3 in Hockey East.
"I didn't mind our first period," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "I thought it was fairly even, we get a lead and then in the second period, the game just fell apart on us." We took a couple penalties, UConn ramped it up. I wasn't happy with the second period, so I challenged them. We came out and UConn gets that fluke goal early. We came right back. I think UConn deserved that game tonight, but Michael Hrabal continues to be as good a goal is I've had at this level and I'm proud of the group. It's tough, we took five out of six points against the team that was ahead of us in the standings. They're a good team. I'm very happy with the weekend."
UMass opened the scoring with the clock winding down in the first period. Freshman Justin Kerr collected a drop pass from classmate Colson Hanrahan and flicked a wrister through traffic that tucked inside the far post at the 18:37 mark. Junior Nick VanTassell earned an assist on the play, as well.
The Huskies then leveled the score early in the second with Joey Muldowney firing the puck home from the high slot on the power play after Ryan Tattle won the offensive zone draw 2:10 into the frame.
UConn then pulled in front, 2-1, at the 15:45 mark. Tristan Fraser sent the puck up the half wall to Trey Scott who used a screen to beat netminder Michael Hrabal.
Before the intermission, UMass knotted things up at 2-2 as Justin Kerr won a draw in the Huskies end back to senior co-captain Lucas Ölvestad for the finish at 19:14.
UConn went back in front 3:02 into the third with Jake Percival taking an outlet pass from Anthony Allain Samake and Brendan Dunphy into the Massachusetts end and banking home a wraparound attempt from below the goal line.
The Minutemen were quick to counter, however, as junior Jack Musa netted the equalizer just 30 seconds later. VanTassell's centering pass found Musa in the slot for the finish with freshman Václav Nestrašil earning the secondary helper.
The score remained 3-3 through overtime, sending the teams to a shootout. Jake Richard scored for the Huskies in the second round, only to be countered by sophomore Daniel Jencko. Musa, the seventh and final shooter, ultimately potted the winner for UMass.
Hrabal ended the night with a career high 50 saves and Tyler Muszelik had 19 stops for UConn as the Huskies out-shot the Minutemen, 53-22. UConn went 1-for-4 on the power play and UMass was 0-for-1.
The Minutemen will be back in action on Thursday, March 5, when the squad will play host to No. #10/11 Boston College in their regular season home finale at the Mullins Center at 7 p.m.
"I didn't mind our first period," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "I thought it was fairly even, we get a lead and then in the second period, the game just fell apart on us." We took a couple penalties, UConn ramped it up. I wasn't happy with the second period, so I challenged them. We came out and UConn gets that fluke goal early. We came right back. I think UConn deserved that game tonight, but Michael Hrabal continues to be as good a goal is I've had at this level and I'm proud of the group. It's tough, we took five out of six points against the team that was ahead of us in the standings. They're a good team. I'm very happy with the weekend."
UMass opened the scoring with the clock winding down in the first period. Freshman Justin Kerr collected a drop pass from classmate Colson Hanrahan and flicked a wrister through traffic that tucked inside the far post at the 18:37 mark. Junior Nick VanTassell earned an assist on the play, as well.
The Huskies then leveled the score early in the second with Joey Muldowney firing the puck home from the high slot on the power play after Ryan Tattle won the offensive zone draw 2:10 into the frame.
UConn then pulled in front, 2-1, at the 15:45 mark. Tristan Fraser sent the puck up the half wall to Trey Scott who used a screen to beat netminder Michael Hrabal.
Before the intermission, UMass knotted things up at 2-2 as Justin Kerr won a draw in the Huskies end back to senior co-captain Lucas Ölvestad for the finish at 19:14.
UConn went back in front 3:02 into the third with Jake Percival taking an outlet pass from Anthony Allain Samake and Brendan Dunphy into the Massachusetts end and banking home a wraparound attempt from below the goal line.
The Minutemen were quick to counter, however, as junior Jack Musa netted the equalizer just 30 seconds later. VanTassell's centering pass found Musa in the slot for the finish with freshman Václav Nestrašil earning the secondary helper.
The score remained 3-3 through overtime, sending the teams to a shootout. Jake Richard scored for the Huskies in the second round, only to be countered by sophomore Daniel Jencko. Musa, the seventh and final shooter, ultimately potted the winner for UMass.
Hrabal ended the night with a career high 50 saves and Tyler Muszelik had 19 stops for UConn as the Huskies out-shot the Minutemen, 53-22. UConn went 1-for-4 on the power play and UMass was 0-for-1.
The Minutemen will be back in action on Thursday, March 5, when the squad will play host to No. #10/11 Boston College in their regular season home finale at the Mullins Center at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
UMass IH | Coach Greg Carvel Post Game Press Conference vs UConn | 02.28.26
Saturday, February 28
UMass IH | Post Game Press Conference vs UConn | 02.28.26
Saturday, February 28
UMass IH | Coach Greg Carvel Post Game Press Conference vs UNH | 02.20.26
Friday, February 20
UMass IH | Post Game Press Conference vs UNH | 02.20.26
Friday, February 20