Jeszka Sends Massachusetts Past Alabama Huntsville In Overtime, 2-1
Freshman forward Griff Jeszka scores game-winning goal at 2:10 of overtime for Minutemen

Freshman forward Griff Jeszka scored the game-winning goal for the Minutemen
Prd Time  Team Score Type Scored By Assists
1st 15:28  UMA1-0 EV Jake Horton (1)Kurt Keats/8, Steven Iacobellis/7
2nd 3:35  ALH1-1 EV EA Max McHugh (7)Josh Kestner/11, Jordan Larson/7
OT 2:10  UMA2-1 EV GW Griff Jeszka (5)William Lagesson/5, Niko Hildenbrand/1
Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd OT Final
Alabama Huntsville  01001
Massachusetts  10012
Shots on Goal 1st 2nd 3rd OT SOG
Alabama Huntsville  10119030
Massachusetts  765119
Team Stats and Records  PP PIM SHGF
Alabama Huntsville (7-12-2)  0/4 3/6 0
Massachusetts (5-12-2)  0/3 4/8 0
Alabama Huntsville Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 OT Saves
Jordan Uhelski (L, 5-5-2)62:052 665017
Empty Net0:050      
Massachusetts Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 OT Saves
Ryan Wischow (W, 4-8-2)61:311 10109029
Empty Net0:390      

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Freshman forward Griff Jeszka scored at 2:10 of overtime to propel Massachusetts to a 2-1 win against Alabama Huntsville in the opening game of the Mariucci Classic on Friday at Mariucci Arena.

THE BASICS:

RESULT: Massachusetts 2, Alabama Huntsville 1 (OT) - Mariucci Classic
LOCATION: Mariucci Arena (Minneapolis, Minn.)
RECORDS: Massachusetts (5-12-2); Alabama Huntsville (7-13-2)

THE LEAD: Freshman Griff Jeszka put the puck into an open net for the game winner 2:10 into overtime to lift University of Massachusetts hockey to a 2-1 victory in the Mariucci Classic on Friday afternoon at Mariucci Arena. The Minutemen will face either Mercyhurst or Minnesota in the championship game tomorrow at either 5:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. ET.

FIRST PERIOD:

With few scoring chances early for either team, senior captain Steven Iacobellis kept it a 0-0 game, blocking a shot in front of the net with 8:35 on the clock and UAH coming off a power play opportunity. Minnesota native Jake Horton put the Minutemen on top 15:28 into the period, scoring with a shot from the right point after receiving the puck from sophomore Kurt Keats off a Iacobellis offensive zone faceoff win.

SECOND PERIOD:

Max McHugh leveled the score for the Chargers 3:35 into the second period with an extra skater on for a delayed penalty. McHugh redirected a puck past netminder Ryan Wischow from Josh Kestner and Jordan Larson.

THIRD PERIOD:

UMass killed off a pair of late penalties in a scoreless third and drew a power play of its own on a shorthanded breakaway chance by Ray Pigozzi around the six-minute mark. Alabama Huntsville out-shot the Minutemen, 9-5 in the period.

OVERTIME:

On a UMass rush up the ice, a pass from sophomore William Lagesson and freshman Niko Hildenbrand found Jeszka alone in front for the game winner 2:10 into the extra frame.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

- UMass held UAH to a 0-for-4 night on the power play, while the Minutemen were 0-for-3. The Chargers finished the contest with a 30-19 shot advantage.

- Horton's goal was his first tally since Jan. 16, 2015, a span of 41 games, and marked his fifth of his career.

- Keats' team-leading eighth assist of the season matched his 2015-16 total of eight in 35 games. He has equaled his freshman year point total (12) and extended his point-scoring streak to three straight, as well.

- Iacobellis' assist marked his 50th of his career, 29th all-time in program history. He is now tied for 30th all-time with 77 career points.

- Jeszka's goal, his fifth of the season, pulled him into a tie for the team lead with Austin Plevy. Jeszka paces UMass' freshman class in goals and points (10).

- Lagesson's assist was his fifth of the season, equaling his freshman year total of five in 27 games in 2015-16.

- Hildenbrand's assist marked his first of his collegiate career and his fourth point on the year.

- Wischow earned the win (4-8-2) in net for UMass and finished with 29 saves.

UP NEXT: UMass awaits the winner of tonight's Mariucci Classic matchup between host Minnesota and Mercyhurst.