BOSTON - University of Massachusetts hockey posted its second straight shutout, 5-0 at Northeastern on Friday night at Matthews Arena. With the win, the Minutemen improve to 10-8-2 overall, 3-5-2 in Hockey East, while the Huskies fall to 6-10-3 overall and 1-7-3 in league action.
"I'm very, very happy with the execution the game plan tonight, but the compete level was high all the way through the lineup." said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "I love the way we played, and then behind it was Michael Hrabal who looks like his game has taken another step since coming back from the World Junior Championship."
UMass opened the scoring 5:16 into the first. After senior Lucas Mercuri and junior Kennedy O'Connor worked to keep the puck in the Northeastern zone, freshman Daniel Jencko put back his own rebound for his fourth goal of the year.
Then in the opening minute of the second period, junior Cole O'Hara finished off a crisp tic-tac-toe setup from sophomores Jack Musa and Dans Locmelis on the rush.
At the 2:32 mark of the third, freshman Francesco Dell'Elce's outlet pass started Mercuri and sophomore Ayar Suniev up the ice. On a give-and-go, Mercuri drove to the near post and redirected home a centering pass from Suniev.
With the Northeastern net empty, Suniev made it a 4-0 margin 17:21 into the final frame. Off the ensuing faceoff, Locmelis found Musa streaking down the slot for the quick strike for UMass' final tally at 17:32.
The Huskies ended the contest with a 41-30 advantage in shots. The Minutemen were 0-for-2 on the power play and 4-for4 on the penalty kill.
Sophomore Michael Hrabal stopped all 41 shots he faced for his fourth career shutout. Cameron Whitehead had 25 saves for Northeastern.
Four Minutemen had multi-point nights as Musa, Mercuri and Suniev each chipped in with a goal and an assist and Locmelis logged two helpers.
The two teams will be back in action tomorrow, January 11, at the Mullins Center at 6 p.m.
