The University of Connecticut men’s ice hockey team is set for a two-game home slate this weekend, taking on UMass Amherst on Friday before a crucial matchup with UMass Lowell.
The Huskies (14-9-3, 7-7-3) are reeling from their 6-3 loss to Providence on Saturday but now have an opportunity to right the ship with a Hockey East double header. This was the Huskies first loss in eight games despite being red hot in the new year. Friday’s game will take place at the Toscano Family Ice Forum in Storrs Conn., while Saturday’s will be played in Hartford, Conn. at the XL Center. The homestand should give the Huskies the advantage in these crucial conference matchups.
Amherst (14-11-2, 5-8-2) are also coming off a loss to No. 7 ranked UMaine whom the Huskies defeated in January. The Minutemen are currently No. 8 in the Hockey East standings and are looking to move themselves up a few pegs as the regular season winds down. This will be UConn’s first and only meeting with Amherst this season before tournament play begins. Their defensive line will need to keep an eye on third-year Cole O’Hara, who leads the Minutemen in both goals and assists, totaling 38 points this season. The last time these teams met, Amherst earned the shootout point at home before losing on the road in Storrs.
Lowell (14-8-3, 7-6-2) is fresh off a victory over Merrimack College on Saturday, and will meet the University of Vermont on Friday before making their way to the nutmeg state. This meeting will have serious implications for the Hockey East standings as UConn is just barely ahead of Lowell, leading by one point with just a few weeks to go before the tournament. These two teams clashed back in November at Lowell, where they split the weekend series, making Saturday’s game the rubber match. Fourth-year Owen Cole has been on fire for the River Hawks, scoring in five of the last six games. He currently leads the team with 16 points.
UConn third-year Ryan Tattle has been on fire the last two weeks. Tattle has put together two-goal games in back-to-back weekends and has climbed up to third for total points on the team. UConn is going to need Tattle to keep his recent spark alive this weekend, as the Minutemen and the River Hawks have allowed the third and fourth fewest goals in the conference.
With Friday’s puck drop scheduled for 4 p.m., UConn will look to bounce back on their home ice and put some space behind them in the standings.