Freshman forward Kenny Connors posted a goal and an assist for the Minutemen
Quick Start Helps Massachusetts Skate Past Denver, 4-2
Sophomore goalie Luke Pavicich made 45 saves for the Minutement

Box Score - Highlights

AMHERST, Mass. - No. 13/14 University of Massachusetts hockey scored two goals while killing a major penalty in the opening five minutes of play to help propel the squad to a 4-2 victory over No. 1 Denver on Friday night at the Mullins Center. The win, the Minutemen's seventh all-time over a No. 1-ranked opponent, moves the squad to 1-0-1 on the season, while the Pioneers fall to 2-1-0.

"That was a highly unusual game, but in my time at UMass, it seems like every time we play that team it's not a usual game," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "Today was just another version of it. It was an unbelievable response by our guys. We wanted to get out to a quick start, we didn't think it would happen with a five-minute major, that was obviously huge in the game. What a statement made by Pav. That was, what, his third career game and he puts up 45 saves? He was outstanding and we needed him to be. Denver's an outstanding team. Our kids played hard. We were very opportunistic and there's a lot we need to get better on, but that's a huge win for this team early in the season."

Just 38 seconds into the contest, senior Cal Kiefiuk was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for hitting from behind, putting UMass' penalty kill to the test early. The Minutemen responded with a shorthanded 2-on-1 as freshman Kenny Connors finished off a feed from senior Reed Lebster at the 3:33 mark for his first collegiate goal.

Moments later, still shorthanded, Massachusetts doubled its lead. Sophomore Scott Morrow knocked home a puck from sophomores Ryan Lautenbach and Lucas Mercuri on the rush at 4:51.

The Minutemen pushed their advantage to 3-0 before the first intermission. Freshman Tyson Dyck cleaned up a rebound from Cole O'Hara and Connors to notch his first career goal at 12:33.

Lebster added a power play tally for UMass to open the second after sophomore Ryan Ufko and Morrow at the points found him in the slot for the finish.

With a power play opportunity midway through the third, Denver elected to pull goaltender Magnus Chrona for a 6-on-4. As result, Carter Mazur converted for the Pioneers off a feed from Jack Devine and Tristan Broz 13:19 into the frame.

The Pioneers crept closer with another extra attacker goal at 15:48 with Casey Dornbach and Massimo Rizzo setting up Shai Buium at 15:48.

Backed by a 45-save performance from sophomore goaltender Luke Pavicich, the Minutemen defense withstood Denver's response and came away with the victory despite the 47-15 shot advantage for the Pioneers.

UMass finished the night 1-for-1 on the power play and went 3-for-4 on the penalty kill. Lebster, Connors and Morrow all posted multi-point efforts with a goal and assist apiece.

The teams will be back in action tomorrow night, Oct. 15, for the second game of the weekend set at 7:30 p.m. at the Mullins Center.