Leonard's Three Points Lead Massacusetts Past AIC, 3-1
Freshman forward John Leonard scores two goals and assist for Minutemen

Freshman forward John Leonard had two goals and an assist for the Minutemen
Prd Time  Team Score Type Scored By Assists
1st 9:18  UMA1-0 EV Oliver Chau (2)John Leonard/4, Mario Ferraro/3
1st 13:27  UMA2-0 PP GW John Leonard (2)Oliver Chau/3, Cale Makar/3
3rd 9:41  AIC1-2 EV Dominik Florián (1)Brennan Kapcheck/3, Martin Mellberg/3
3rd 17:21  UMA3-1 EV John Leonard (3) -
Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd Final
American International  0011
Massachusetts  2013
Shots on Goal 1st 2nd 3rd SOG
American International  79824
Massachusetts  8161034
Team Stats and Records  PP PIM SHGF
American International (0-4-1)  0/3 6/12 0
Massachusetts (3-1-0)  1/6 3/6 0
American International Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Alex Murray (L, 0-1-0)58:353 616931
Empty Net1:250     
Massachusetts Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Matt Murray (W, 2-0-0)59:471 79723
Empty Net0:130     

AMHERST, Mass. - John Leonard's homecoming was a successful one for the Amherst, Massachusetts native as he factored in all three goals in University of Massachusetts hockey's 3-1 victory over American International in the Minutemen's 2017-18 home opener. With their third straight win, the Minutemen move to 3-1-0 on the season, while the Yellow Jackets fall to 0-4-1 to start the year.

Leonard scored twice for the Minutemen, including once on the power play, and assisted the opening tally for a three-point night. The rookie now leads UMass with seven points in four games and has logged at least one point in all four contests. All seven points in Saturday night's victory were supplied by the Minutemen's freshman class.

Oliver Chau opened the scoring at the 9:18 mark of the first period, streaking towards the net to finish off a quick behind the net centering feed from Leonard. Mario Ferraro earned an assist on the play, as well, his third of the season.

Leonard then added UMass' second tally, scoring on a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle after receiving the puck from Chau and freshman Cale Makar 13:27 into the frame while the Minutemen had the man advantage.

Following a scoreless second, AIC halved its deficit midway through the third period. Dominik Florian redirected in a shot from Brennan Kapcheck at the doorstep at 9:41.

The Minutemen regained the two-goal cushion with Leonard's second of the night at the 17:21 mark when he picked up a loose puck at center ice, skated it in the offensive zone and fired a shot past Alex Murray on a two-on-one.

"I thought tonight was going to be a bigger test for our team than last night," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "I think we were really excited to play a Union team last night and that's the first time this young team has had to travel after a Friday night game, so I was concerned about our energy level and that kind of played out. I thought both teams looked a little ragged out there, but it's a good sign for this young team that, if we don't have our 'A' game, our 'B' game was good enough to get us the win."

UMass finished the contest with a 34-24 shot advantage and won 33 of 58 faceoffs (56.9%). Matt Murray improved to 2-0-0 on the year, making 23 saves in net for the Minutemen.

UMass continues its homestand next Fri., Oct. 20, when the squad will open up a two-game weekend set vs. Ohio State at 7 p.m. in the Mullins Center.

For continued coverage of UMass hockey, follow the team on Twitter (@UMassHockey) and Instagram (@MassachusettsHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.