The University of Connecticut men’s ice hockey claimed supremacy over the Constitution State at the fifth Connecticut Ice Championship this weekend.
This was UConn’s first ever title in the four-team tournament, which features the state’s four NCAA Division I ice hockey programs. The Huskies snapped a three-year streak of finishing as the runners-up. Third-year goalie Tyler Muszelik was named the Outstanding player of the tournament. This victory has nestled UConn into the No. 4 slot in the PairWise Division I rankings.
The Huskies opened the weekend on Friday by defeating the reigning tournament champions, Quinnipiac University, who had sent them home the past three consecutive years. UConn was finally able to take down their Connecticut rivals after losing the last eight straight meetings.
The first period ended in a scoreless draw after a strong showing from both teams’ penalty kill units. An early penalty from the Huskies gave Quinnipiac a man advantage, though it didn’t help Quinnipiac. UConn had a two-man up opportunity of their own later in the period after back-to-back penalties, which they were not able to capitalize on.
The action heated up in the second period, as third-year Ryan Tattle was able to outmaneuver the two Quinnipiac defensemen in front of him with a toe drag before burying the first UConn goal of the tournament. Later in the period, an uncalled trip prevented the Huskies from extending their lead to two. In the subsequent possession, Quinnipiac was able to tie the game after Davis Pennington fired towards the net where Travis Treloar was waiting for the tip in the goal.
The game remained tied throughout the following period, as Muszelik finished the game with 35 saves, repelling several breakaways in the third. It seemed as though the game was heading for overtime as the clock wound down. But with just 17.7 seconds on the clock, Quinnipiac committed a penalty which gave the Huskies a power play, and likely just one more chance to win the game in regulation. With the puck in the corner and time expiring, fifth-year Hudson Schandor found Tattle in front of the goal as he was able to sneak the puck backhanded past the netminder for the game-winning goal, leaving less than a second on the clock.
The Sacred Heart Pioneers dropped off the Yale Bulldogs 8-2 later that day, setting the stage for the championship game on Saturday.
The Huskies scored the contest’s lone goal just six minutes into the opening period. Third-year Tristan Fraser ripped a shot that was deflected by second–year goaltender Cullen DeYoung. After Fraser let his potential rebound slip through his skates, first-year Filip Sitar fielded the puck out of the scrum and snuck his first career goal past DeYoung. The Pios looked to respond in the same period putting seven shots on goal, but Muszelik was lying in wait to fend off the barrage.
UConn went into the second with 1:16 remaining on a power play carried over from the previous periond, but the Sacred Heart penalty kill unit held strong. UConn’s defense was put on full display in the second, a slashing penalty on Ethan Whitcomb resulted in a power play opportunity for the Pioneers. On the power play third-year Jake Percival made a heroic play at the goal line, pushing the puck out of the crease and protecting the Huskies one goal lead.
In the third period neither squad could gain an upper hand. The Pioneers peppered the goal in the early minutes, but Muszelik held strong in the net. UConn flipped the ice, getting several chances to score, but DeYoung would not give them the chance to extend their lead. With less than two minutes to play, Sacred Heart pulled DeYoung out of goal in a last-ditch effort to score the equalizer. The Pioneers nearly tied the game with eight seconds to go, but Muszelik was able to cover up the loose puck out of the mess in front of the crease. They managed to get one more shot off following the face-off, but second-year Jake Richard batted the puck down as time ran out, clinching the tournament championship.
Muszelik totaled 23 saves in the contest and was named to the all-tournament first-team, alongside Tattle, as the Huskies were crowned the top dogs of Connecticut ice hockey. UConn will look to carry on their recent momentum into their upcoming weekend series with Providence College.
The puck drop is scheduled for Friday at 7:00 p.m., with game one to be played in Providence, R.I., at Schneider Arena.