DURHAM, N.H. – Mitchell Chaffee posted three points for the Minutemen as the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team fell to No. 11 UMass, 5-1, on Saturday night at the Whittemore Center. The Wildcats are now 1-4-1 (1-1-0 HEA), while the Minutemen improve to 6-1-0 (3-0-0 HEA).
The Wildcats will return to action on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7:15 p.m. for a game at the Tsongas Center as they take on UMass Lowell.
NEXT HOME GAME:
The Wildcats will return to the Whitt on Saturday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m. versus Boston University. Tickets
It will be UNH Salutes presented by Service Credit Union. Patriotic baseball caps will be given out to the first 1,000 fans. Every year, the Wildcats look forward to honoring those who serve our country and community. Fans may purchase a ticket for a veteran by calling 603-862-4000.
Townsquare Media, Service Credit Union and the UNH Wildcats ask fans to bring a non-perishable item to donate to the NH Food Bank. Those who donate will be entered in a raffle for a special prize! Fans who donate five items or $5 will receive a scarf courtesy of Service Credit Union.
The Wildcats are playing the Terriers, which can only mean one thing - Dollar Dogs! Ask for the special $1 hot dog at concessions.
HOW IT HAPPENED Junior Anthony Wyse (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
The Minutemen opened up the scoring at 7:19 of the first period when Oliver Chau connected with Mitchell Chaffee who sent the puck into the net on the lower stick side from the crease.
UMass increased its lead to 2-0 at 14:08 after Jacob Pritchard sent a pass from behind the net to Philip Lagunov who one-timed it from the slot past Robinson's stick-side.
With six seconds left in the first period the Wildcats went on a two-man advantage power play. Right off the face-off UNH almost scored during a scramble in front of the UMass net, but the horn sounded as the score remained 2-0 going into the second period.
After the end of the first period Robinson had 10 saves while Murray posted six. UMass went 0-1 on the power play.
At 13:09 of the second period the Minutemen made the score 3-0 when Cole Makar sent a rocket to the upper stick side of the net from the circle after receiving a pass from Mitchell Chaffee.
At 16:39 of the second period the teams were given matching penalties leading to a four-on-four situation but both teams held strong defensively to keep the score 3-0.
The Wildcats outshot the Minutemen 8-2 in the second period.
The Minutemen used their power play to make the score 4-0 at 12:22 of the third period as John Leonard sent a wrist shot past the stick side of Robinson into the net from outside of the circle.
Ara Nazarian (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
With 1:04 remaining the Wildcats got on the board as senior assistant captain Ara Nazarian (Boxford, Mass.) sent a pass across the ice to sophomore Kohei Sato (Nishitokyo, Japan) who knocked the puck in glove-side from the bottom of the circle. Junior Liam Blackburn (Prince George, British Columbia) also tallied an assist on the goal.
Sophomore Kohei (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
Thirty-five seconds later, the Minutemen answered with a goal from Pritchard for the final score of 5-1.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
UMass outshot UNH by a 22-20 margin.
Robinson made 17 saves, while Murray recorded 19.
The Wildcats went 0-3 on the power play and the Minutemen went 1-4.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
Sato's goal was the second of his career, with both goals being against UMass. His previous goal was versus the Minutemen in a 3-1 win at the Whittemore Center on February 3, 2018.
STAY CONNECTED
There are numerous ways to stay connected with the UNH men's hockey team. Follow the Wildcats on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
OFFICIAL UNH GEAR:
Check out UNHShop.com for the latest in official UNH Wildcats' merchandise.
