FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The UConn men's hockey team are the 2025 CT Ice Champions. Filip Sitar scored the lone goal of the game, while Tyler Muszelik made 23 saves in the victory. This is the program's first ever CT Ice Championship.
Before the puck was even dropped in the first period, both teams were ready for a physical battle, with Sacred Heart sending Joey Muldowney's stick into the air. After puck drop both teams had their chances, but the netminders turned away the early chances. The Huskies found the back of the net early as Tristan Fraser fired a shot on net, and through a scrum of bodies, the puck found freshman Filip Sitar who snuck it home for the first goal of the game. Sacred Heart looked to respond but junior Tyler Muszelik made seven saves holding the Pioneers scoreless. With time running down in the first period and UConn holding a 1-0 lead, an interference penalty on Sacred Heart put UConn on the power play and will continue into the second period for another 1:16.
The second period was a defensive showing as both teams minimized chances early in the period. Sacred Heart had an opportunity late in the second period following a slashing penalty on Ethan Whitcomb. While on the power play, an amazing defensive effort by junior Jake Percival to push the puck away from the goal line to preserve the UConn 1-0 lead. Following the hectic scrum, the UConn penalty kill settled down on the ensuing faceoff and was able to kill the remainder of the penalty. Junior Tyler Muszelik through two periods had 17 saves holding the Pioneers scoreless.
In the third period, Sacred Heart jumped the Huskies early looking for the equalizing goal. After weathering the storm from the Pios, UConn responded with chances of their own, but the Sacred Heart netminder turned away every opportunity faced. A physical period with limited penalties called, the two teams battled. With 1 minute and 45 seconds remaining Sacred Heart pulled their goalie looking for the equalizing goal. With eight seconds remaining in the game, a scrum in front of Tyler Muszelik for the loose puck ensued but the junior goalie found it and held on freezing play. On the ensuing faceoff Sacred Heart won the puck, but an amazing effort by Jake Richard blocked the shot and time ran out, securing the UConn win.
