ANN ARBOR, Mich. - No. 10/9 University of Massachusetts hockey scored twice late in the third period but could not compete the comeback in a 4-2 loss to No. 6/7 Michigan on Sunday at Yost Ice Arena. The setback leaves the Minutemen at 10-6-2 on the season, while the Wolverines improve to 16-6-1.
"I'm much happier with our effort tonight. I felt like our kids competed hard," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "Matt Murray again, to me, was outstanding. I think the big difference in the weekend was our turnovers in the neutral zone. The second goal by Michigan was a turnover, which led to a quick goal in the back of the net. I think that was a big changing point in the game. I give the guys credit, they fought to the end and scored two goals in the last five or six minutes. The kids played hard. Michigan's a very very talented team. We'll learn from this weekend, and it'll help us going forward into the rest of the Hockey East schedule."
With the first period winding down, Michigan put the opening goal of the contest on the board at the 19:04 mark. Brendan Brisson cleaned up a loose puck in front of the UMass net with Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson collecting the assists.
The Wolverines then doubled their lead just 2:30 into the second period. Picking off an errant Minuteman pass in the neutral zone, Johnson sent a pass ahead to Brisson who connected with Beniers for the tally.
Michigan added another before the intermission as Dylan Duke collected his own rebound off an initial toe save by Murray and lifted a shot past the UMass netminder at the 17:01 mark. Nick Blankenburg and Luke Hughes earned the assists.
The Minutemen cut their deficit to two with their second shorthanded goal of the season, 13:50 into the third period. After Colin Felix and Josh Lopina worked to get the clear out of the UMass end on the kill, senior captain Bobby Trivigno beat Luke Hughes to the puck and skated in alone on Erik Portillo to notch his eighth goal of the season and 100th career point.
Johnny Beecher gave the Wolverines back their three-goal cushion, however, with an empty netter from Nolan Moyle at 17:49.
UMass then completed the scoring in the final minute of play with freshman Ryan Ufko picking up his second career tally on a one-timer after Lopina won the offensive zone draw.
Michigan finished with a 46-30 shot advantage but were 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Minutemen were 0-for-3.
Murray amassed a career high 42 saves for UMass and Portillo had 28 stops for the Wolverines.
The Minutemen will be back in action on Friday, Jan. 21, when the squad will host No. 11/10 Northeastern at 7 p.m. at the Mullins Center in a Hockey East clash, which will air on NESN. For continued coverage of UMass hockey, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@UMassHockey) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassHockey.
