FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The UConn men's hockey team snapped an eight-game losing streak vs. the Quinnipiac Bobcats behind two goals from Ryan Tattle and 35 saves from junior Tyler Muszelik. Tattle scored the game winning goal with .5 seconds remaining on the clock to send the Huskies to the championship game.
The first period was a back-and-forth physical battle. Quinnipiac had the first chance of the afternoon as a UConn penalty gave them the man advantage. The Huskies penalty kill went to work shutting down the lethal Quinnipiac power play to keep the game scoreless. Later in the period, following back-to-back penalties by Quinnipiac the Huskies had a 5 on 3-man advantage, but were unable to convert. With neither team able to find the back of the net, the teams entered the period break scoreless.
In the second period, the Huskies were able to open the scoring as Junior Ryan Tattle had a two on one and after a toe drag fired the puck past the Quinnipiac netminder for the first goal of the CT Ice tournament, and the first goal of the afternoon for UConn. The Huskies offensive pressure continued as they generated multiple chances in the second period. The Huskies were primed for another goal but after a Quinnipiac player dove to block the shot, Kaden Shahan was tripped by the stick, but the trip went uncalled, and Quinnipiac was able to counter. Shortly after the missed call, Quinnipiac was able to respond off a tip an tied the game at one. A Quinnipiac penalty late in the first period gave UConn the man advantage heading into the third period with both teams tied at one.
In the third period, it was a back-and-forth battle with both teams netminders making huge saves to keep the game tied at one. Tyler Muszelik made multiple breakaway saves finishing with 35 in the game. With time running down in the third period, and the game looking like it was destined for overtime, a penalty on Quinnipiac put UConn on the power play with 17.7 seconds remaining in the game. On the powerplay, the Huskies offense went to work, and after collecting the puck in the corner, Hudson Schandor found Ryan Tattle who beat the goalie backhanded for the game winning goal with .5 seconds remaining and his second goal of the game. The win snaps an eight-game losing streak to the Bobcats and sends the Huskies to the championship game.
Up Next
UConn will face off against the winner of Yale and Sacred Heart tomorrow at 7:30pm for the championship game of the CT Ice tournament.
