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Freshman defenseman Matthew Kessel scored a goal for the Minutemen
Massachusetts Falls To Denver, 4-2

DENVER, Colo. - No. 9 University of Massachusetts hockey held a 2-1 lead heading into the third period, but No. 7/5 Denver used three goals in the final frame to rally past the Minutemen, 4-2 on Friday night at Magness Arena. The setback leaves UMass at 13-5-1, while the Pioneers improve to 12-4-3 on the year.

"It's frustrating, we had the lead in the third and I'm not so sure they deserved to win the game, but they did," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "That's the sign of a good team, an elite team that has confidence and we're trying to get to that level. It's frustrating. I thought it was an even game, but it's frustrating to lose that way, late in the game on a bad shot. I'm not saying we deserved to win, but we could've. We were sloppy tonight."

After an eventful but scoreless first period, UMass finally ended the deadlock 4:45 into the second. Off a faceoff win by junior George Mika, freshman Peyton Reeves found classmate Matthew Kessel at the point for his sixth of the season and second tally in as many games.

The Pioneers leveled the score at 1-1 at the 8:10 mark, though. Cole Guttman centered the puck for Slava Demin who found the back of the net from the high slot.

Senior Jake McLaughlin put the Minutemen back in front 12:24 into the period, cleaning up a rebound in front from sophomore Bobby Trivigno and senior Niko Hildenbrand to give UMass a 2-1 advantage.

At the 5:08 mark of the third period, however, Tyson McLellan tipped a puck from Demin and Michael Davies past Filip Lindberg to tie things up at 2-2. Guttman later came up with the would-be game winner for Denver on a tough-angle shot from the corner that snuck past Lindberg at the post with 2:07 remaining in regulation. Jake Durfinger then added an empty net goal for the Pioneers at 18:57 to cap the scoring.

Denver finished the night with a 33-22 shot advantage while being held to a 0-for-5 night on the power play, while the Minutemen were 0-for-4.

Lindberg had 29 saves in the setback and Magnus Chrona totaled 20 stops for the Pioneers.

The teams will wrap up the series tomorrow night, January 4, at 7:07 p.m. MT at Magness Arena.

Game Summary

Friday, January 3, 2020

2
4
Game statistics
22 Shots 33
0 / 4 Power Plays 0 / 5
6 / 23 PIM 4 / 8
13-5-1 Records 12-4-3
GOAL SCORERS
Massachusetts Denver
Matthew Kessel (6)
2nd/4:45
Slava Demin (2)
2nd/8:10
Jake McLaughlin (1)
2nd/12:24
Tyson McLellan (5)
3rd/5:08
Cole Guttman (8)
3rd/17:53  GW
Jake Durflinger (4)
3rd/18:57  EN
GOALTENDERS
Massachusetts Denver
Filip Lindberg
59:12, 29 Saves, 3 GA
(L, 5-4-1)

Empty Net
0:48, 1 GA
Magnus Chrona
60:00, 20 Saves, 2 GA
(W, 9-4-2)