AMHERST, Mass. - No. 8 University of Massachusetts hockey used three power-play goals to roll to its seventh straight victory, shutting out New Hampshire 4-0 on Wednesday afternoon at the Mullins Center. The win moves the Minutemen to 9-3-1, while the Wildcats fall to 2-3-1.
"I'm very happy with our team's effort today," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "I thought that was a very complete game outside of the power play in the third period that gave UNH some life, but I thought we were really good today. We were solid for 60 minutes and the special teams were excellent again. I thought our guys came ready to play and we didn't give UNH much life."
Back from a nine-game absence due to injury, sophomore Reed Lebster opened the scoring 11:57 into the first period, skating in alone on Mike Robinson thanks to a stretch pass from junior Marc Del Gaizo out of the UMass end.
At the 6:38 mark of the second, junior Bobby Trivigno increased the lead to 2-0, putting home a rebound from senior Oliver Chau and sophomore Zac Jones on the power play for his fifth of the season.
Sophomore Matthew Kessel added the Minutemen's second power-play goal moments later with a blast from the high slot from Chau and Jones 8:47 into the frame.
Kessel later capped the scoring in the third, potting another tally with the man advantage from Jones and Trivigno at 14:51.
UMass out-shot UNH 26-21 and went 3-for-6 on the power play, while going a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. Senior goaltender Matt Murray made 21 saves to collect his 11th career shutout and become the all-time wins leader for the Minutemen with his 51st of his career.
Kessel's two goals brought his season total to eight, a new career best for the sophomore, which ties him for the national lead. Trivigno registered a goal and an assist, extending his point streak to seven straight games and Jones' three helpers matched his single-game best for assists and points. Chau's two assists equaled his career single-game best and marked his third multi-point game of the season.