The UConn men’s ice hockey team shocked fans Friday, Nov. 15 in their takedown of No. 2 Boston College at the Tuscano Family Ice Forum.
The Huskies came into the contest at a low point in their season. The weekend prior, they were swept by Merrimack College in their two-game series. It was the first time UConn had been swept this season as they were outscored by a margin of 9-3.
The Eagles struck first in the first five minutes of the game. Fourth-year defenseman Aidan Hreschuk netted his first career goal, heaving a shot from the point that managed to sneak past third-year goalie Tyler Muszelik.
Tensions were high in this Hockey East matchup, as a skirmish broke out just a few moments later, and when the dust settled UConn fifth-year Hugh Larkin was charged with a five-minute major penalty as well as a game misconduct. At the same time, Boston third–year Lukas Gustafsson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
The Husky penalty kill unit was put to work, and they were able to thwart the Eagles’ offense and keep them from scoring. UConn was unable to find the back of the net in the first period, despite peppering the goal with 23 shots.
In the first minute of the second period, the Huskies finally managed to get on the board. Fifth-year Hudson Schandor fielded a pass from third-year Tristan Fraser in front of the goal and shoveled it into the top right corner to tie up the game with one goal apiece. This score opened the floodgates for the Huskies, as they unleashed two more goals onto second-year goalie Jacob Fowler in just the first five minutes of the period.
The first came from first-year Kaden Shahan who, in transition, ripped a shot into the top left corner as the defenseman slipped in front of him to take the lead for UConn. Not even a minute later, Fraser got involved in the offense again, this time burying a goal of his own as he barreled into the goal on a pass from fifth-year Nick Carabin.
In frustration, Fowler threw a nasty elbow at Fraser, who was being helped to his feet by his teammates, leading to another fray behind the net. Fowler received a major penalty and didn’t return to the goal for the remainder of the game, replaced by second-year Jan Korec.
In the subsequent power play, UConn could not score, and the period ended with the Huskies commanding a 3-1 lead.
First-year goalie Thomas Heaney had to take over in the net for the third period, following an injury to Muszelik. This change allowed Boston College the opportunity to get back into the game. Just over 30 seconds into final period, second-year Ryan Leonard fired a shot from the left circle, nailing the goal on Heaney’s glove side.
However, UConn would not relent. Halfway through the period, third-year Tom Messineo received a puck from the blue line and flicked a shot, catching Korec off-guard, once again putting the Huskies ahead by two.
With two minutes to go in the game, the Eagles pulled their goalie, and with the extra attacker, third-year Andre Gasseau was able to net Boston’s third goal of the game to bring the game back within one.
The empty net proved to be the Eagles’ undoing. Following the face-off, third-year Ryan Tattle received the puck in space and was able to get a shot off that found the goal on the other side of the ice to all but secure the upset for the Huskies.
A last gasp goal from Hreschuk in the game’s final seconds brought the final score to 5-4, giving UConn their first victory over the Eagles since the 2022-23 season.
The single game will give UConn time to rest before they travel to take on UMass Lowell. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22.