Massachusetts Edges Past Queen's In Exhibition, 1-0
Senior forward Niko Rufo scores game-winning goal for Minutemen

Senior forward Niko Rufo scored the game-winning goal for the Minutemen
Prd Time  Team Score Type Scored By Assists
1st 12:34  UMA1-0 PP GW Niko RufoJake McLaughlin
Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd Final
Queen's  0000
Massachusetts  1001
Shots on Goal 1st 2nd 3rd SOG
Queen's  581225
Massachusetts  14181042
Team Stats and Records  PP PIM SHGF
Queen's  0/1 1/2 0
Massachusetts  1/1 1/2 0
Queen's Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Kevin Bailie (L)30:281 1310023
Jake Brennan28:510 081018
Empty Net0:410     
Massachusetts Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Ryan Wischow (W)20:000 5005
Matt Murray20:000 0808
Brad Arvanitis20:000 001212

AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts hockey blanked Queen's 1-0 in its exhibition matchup at the Mullins Center on Saturday evening to kick off the 2017-18 campaign for the Minutemen. Newcomer graduate transfer Niko Rufo provided the lone tally in the contest and all three UMass goaltenders combined for the shutout of the Gaels.

"When you play these games, you're always concerned because if the games do get lopsided they often get really chippy," said head coach Greg Carvel. "I have a lot of respect for Queen's and the way they played. They played a good, hard style, which, I thought our guys did too. I thought that was a great exhibition game, learned a lot and the guys played hard and can go home and feel good about themselves."

The Minutemen controlled possession for much of the opening period and ultimately broke through to take a 1-0 lead on their first and only power-play chance of the night. After sophomore Jake McLaughlin stripped a Queen's skater of the puck in the UMass zone, he fed a streaking Rufo who carried it into Gaels' territory and fired a shot home from the high slot at the 12:34 mark.

Niko Hildenbrand found the back of the net early in the second period with a strike from the point, but the tally was called back for goaltender interference, keeping it a one-goal game.

UMass had another chance to extend its lead late in the second, but Jake Brennan denied junior Austin Plevy's breakaway attempt. The Minutemen finished the frame with 18 shots on net, contributing to the squad's total of 42 on the evening.

UMass netminders Ryan Wischow, Matt Murray and Brad Arvanitis each played one period in the shutout. Wischow made five saves, while Murray and Arvanitis had eight and 12 stops, respectively.