The UConn men’s hockey team is set to face another ranked opponent this weekend in No. 12 UMass. It will start on Friday in Storrs, giving home advantage for the Huskies at Toscano Family Ice Forum.
UConn will enter this matchap with a 12-13-2 overall record and 7-9-1 in Hockey East action. The Huskies have had a pattern of splitting series the last couple of weeks but have goals of correcting some of their mistakes in the losing games to hopefully gain some more leverage on Hockey East series. One of the factors they look to improve on this weekend is the amount of penalties they commit.
“A point of emphasis this week is not to take as many penalties, I think UMass has one of the better power plays in the league – that’s kind of been our focal point all week, is to play much more disciplined.”
In UConn’s rebound game against Providence last weekend, goaltender Ethan Haider had 42 saves which is a huge positive for the team as a whole. Finding consistency has been a huge deal for this UConn team this season, and they look to build on that as they enter the final stretch of the regular season before series.
UMass is entering this series with a 14-7-3 overall record and 7-5-2 in Hockey East Play. The Minutemen ranks No. 20 in power-play percentage which is fourth in Hockey East at 22.1%. They are No. 18 nationally in scoring offense, also No. 4 in the Hockey East with 3.25 goals per game. As for individual players, freshman forward Jack Musa is ranked No. 18 in the nation in power-play goals with six. He’s tied for No. 4 among rookies in the league.
“Both teams are going to have to earn every inch [of the ice], earn every shot and every chance,” said UMass senior forward Linden Alger.
One month ago on Jan. 5, UConn and UMass took their matchup into a shootout following six foals split between the teams and a scoreless overtime frame. The Huskies were able to top the Minutemen and won the shootout 1-0.
The Huskies rank just above the Minutemen currently in the Hockey East. UConn has 23 points and UMass is right behind with 22 points. This series might be an opportunity for either team to switch up the rankings, or even gain more distance between their close point count at the moment.
This Hockey East battle will start Friday, Feb. 9 in Storrs at Toscano Family Ice Forum for a ‘Best of the 90s’ themed game at the arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. and will be available to be streamed on ESPN. The teams will then travel to Amherst, Mass. on Saturday Feb. 10, to face the Minutemen at their home arena at the Mullins Center. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. and will be streamed on NESN.