LOWELL, Mass. - The UConn men's hockey team secured another ranked win behind a strong 26 save performance from freshman Callum Tung. The Huskies scored two goals in the second period en route to a 4-1 victory over the no. 15 ranked River Hawks.
The first period was a defensive battle as both teams protected the net in front of their goaltender. UMass Lowell had chances early but in his first career start, freshman Callum Tung stood strong making 10 total saves. The Huskies had their chances to open the scoring late in the period as junior Tabor Heaslip was denied right on the doorstep, while sophomore Viking Gustafsson Nyberg rang a shot off the post. Despite the opportunities, both teams entered the break scoreless.
The second period was all UConn as the Huskies scored two goals while holding the River Hawks scoreless. UConn's first goal came three minutes into the start of the second period, as Tristan Fraser forced a turnover and found freshman Kai Janviriya who skated away from pressure and found Ryan Tattle for the one-time goal. Late in the period following a UConn penalty, the Huskies penalty kill went to work. The Huskies didn't allow a shot on goal during their kill which was shortened by a UMass Lowell penalty for too many men on the ice. After the UConn penalty, the Huskies power play went to work, and with their man advantage winding down, Joey Muldowney found the back of the net on a feed from Ethan Gardula to give UConn the two-goal lead and the lead heading into the break.
UConn jumper UMass Lowell early in the third period to extend their lead to three. Just 33 seconds into the period while on the power play, Hudson Schandor crashed the net and was able to push the puck past the goal line for the Huskies third goal of the game. UMass Lowell eventually found their way past freshman Callum Tung 12 minutes into the period, cutting the lead to two, but UConn responded as Jake Percival snuck a puck five hole to once again extend UConn's lead to three and secure the victory. In his first career game, freshman Callum Tung made 26 saves in the victory.
UP NEXT:
UConn will wrap up the two game series vs. UMass Lowell tomorrow with puck drop scheduled for 6pm. The game can be streamed live on ESPN+.
