After a successful weekend at the Connecticut Ice tournament, the No. 9 UConn men’s ice hockey team is pivoting its attention to a weekend series with No. 7 Providence.
This pivotal matchup will have major ramifications on both the national and Hockey East Standings. Game one is set to be played in Providence at Schneider Arena on Friday, Jan. 31, before the series heads to Hartford. at the XL Center. The series will be the first time this season that these two Hockey East programs clash. Last year when these two teams faced off, it was a split series with each team taking a win on the road.
The Huskies (14-8-2, 7-6-2) brought home their first CT Ice title in the tournament’s five-year history on Saturday, Jan. 25, blanking Sacred Heart after defeating No. 13 Quinnipiac on Friday, Jan. 24. These wins extended UConn’s unbeaten streak to seven. They have yet to lose a game in the new year. Connecticut’s recent success has propelled them into the top ten, and they will look to carry their recent momentum into this weekend’s slate.
Meanwhile, Providence (15-6-3, 5-5-3) has been far less successful in their recent stretch. In 2025, the Friars have only come away with one victory, defeating Brown on the road. In the four games since, Providence has not been able to get back to the win column. After suffering a shutout against the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the Friars will need to right the ship in order to maintain their current status in the national rankings.
Since returning from injury against his former team the UNH Wildcats, third-year Tyler Muszelik has been playing some of the best hockey of his career. He is averaging nearly 28 saves with only one goal per game through his last four starts in the net.
“To come off injury and play the way he has since Christmas has been remarkable,” said fifth-year Hudson Schandor. “Anytime he goes in the net our team is full of confidence in front of him.”
Muszelik was named the Outstanding Player of the Tournament at CT Ice, after allowing only one goal through the weekend against two very strong opponents. The reinvigorated Husky goalie will pose a tough obstacle for the Friars, who rank second to last in the Hockey East standings for goals scored in conference play.
With the puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m., UConn will look to continue cementing themselves as one of the top teams in the country.