Period Recap
In their final home game of the 2014-2015 regular season, the Huskies play host to the UMass Minutemen. The game started off on a shaky note with a shot by the Minutemen's Ben Gallacher in the second minute ricocheting off the right iron. Nichols stopped a quick follow up and UConn regained control. The first power play of the game came in the Huskies' favor with Shane Walsh being penalized for boarding about five minutes in. Officially UConn was given no shots on the power play but had multiple opportunities at putting something together, all fizzling out in the slot.
UConn struck first in the matchup with a nice top-corner, glove-side goal by Shawn Pauly off a feed from Gerling. It was his fifth goal on the season. UConn did not relent after the goal, tallying eight shots in nearly five minutes on Steve Mastalerz. Their greatest opportunity in this span came on a follow-up by Spencer Naas, but Mastalerz gobbled it up.
The Huskies gained a significant amount of confidence there on out, controlling the puck in all three zones. A minor UMass offensive was mounted in the 13th minute but it was quickly dismantled by the Huskies' defense. The ensuing possession – a great offensive set by UConn – resulted in a goal by Patrick Kirtland, his fourth of the year. Corey Ronan and Jesse Schwartz were credited with assists. The assault continued for a short while, before a whistle brought the puck out of the zone and the two sides traded possession until the end of the first. A strong outing by the Huskies on their Senior Night – need to maintain the same level of intensity and awareness to carry them through their last two home periods.
Goals
UConn
08:38 – SHAWN PAULY, assisted by TREVOR GERLING, RYAN SEGALLA.
13:33 – PATRICK KIRTLAND, assisted by COREY RONAN and JESSE SCHWARTZ
UMass
None
Penalties
UConn
None
UMass
04:26 – SHANE WALSH, 2min Boarding