HAMDEN, Conn. - Sparked by a three-goal first period, Quinnipiac held off a late rally from the UMass hockey team to defeat the Minutemen 4-2 on Saturday at the TD Bank Center. Steven Guzzo and Michael Marcou tallied goals for UMass, while Joel Hanley finished with a pair of assists. UMass returns to action next Friday against Harvard in the Mullins Center.
Clay Harvey started the scoring for the Bobcats in the first period with an even-strength goal just 1:16 into the game. John Dunbar added another just over five minutes later, while Zack Currie scored on a power play at the midway point of the period. Quinnipiac (8-6-2) carried play in the first period thanks to a 16-to-5 shot advantage.
Quinnipiac added its fourth goal of the game in the second period on a Connor Jones tally at the 10:04 mark. UMass (4-7-3) was able to hold the Bobcats at bay for the remainder of the period as the teams were even with five shots each. The Minutemen had four power plays in the period, but were unable to convert.
Guzzo scored just under two minutes into the third period as he redirected a pass from Hanley past Quinnipiac keeper Eric Hartzell (19 saves). Marcou scored on a 5x3 power play to pull UMass within two goals at the 6:48 mark of the period with a one-timer from the top left circle.
Jeff Teglia earned the start in goal making 17 saves through two periods. Steve Mastalerz played the third period making six saves without allowing any goals.
For the game, Quinnipiac outshot UMass 27-to-21 although the Minutemen held an 11-to-6 edge in the third period. The Bobcats were 1-of-3 on the power play, while UMass converted 1-of-6 changes with the extra man. The Bobcats also held a large advantage in faceoffs winning 35-of-51 chances.