Less than a month ago, the Massachusetts hockey used 15 goals in three games to rattle off three straight wins.

It started with a 4-2 win over then-No.1 Boston College on Nov. 5. The following weekend, the Minutemen scored seven goals against Holy Cross and four against Northeastern to push their streak to three. In its next game, UMass hung tough with Maine for a 2-2 tie at home.

However, just when it seemed the offense was clicking, a three-game road trip nixed that notion.

The Minutemen have scored just three goals in their last three games (0-3) and still have yet to win a game away from the Mullins Center (0-7-1). However, the next two games will be played in UMass’ friendly confines, where sophomore forward Conor Sheary said the team will turn their offensive woes around.

“It’s mostly preparation,” said Sheary, who has 15 points in 14 games. “We just have to focus more, bare down to start. Once we start focusing midway through the game it’s almost too late.”

The Minutemen have struggled out of the gate recently, often times putting themselves in early deficits which they have not responded well to. In its last three games, UMass has registered 16 shots on goal, 18 shots on goal and 19 shots on goal, respectively. Those totals are far lower than its average of 31.1 shots per game.

“When you start off the game and you’re not producing a lot of offense it kind of sets the tone for the game and it’s easier to get into [bad play],” said senior forward T.J. Syner, who has a team-leading 18 points. “I think if we come out hard and get shots right away it will set a better tone for the game.”

While some of the players are focusing on mental preparation, UMass coach Don Cahoon said the main problem lies within the Minutemen’s defensive zone, where sloppy, uninspired play has created a stagnant offense.

“I think if we’re more proficient coming out of our zone then that gives us more energy coming through the [neutral zone], gives us more energy to stay intact as a unit to create the forecheck which sometimes can lead to offensive play.

“You don’t create enough offense when you’re spending too much time in our own end,” he added.

Cleaner play out of their own end will allow the Minutemen to utilize their speed and quickness through the neutral zone and the attacking zone, where they simply have not generated enough scoring chances.

In addition to its scoring struggles, UMass must figure out a way to win away from the Mullins Center. Following their two games at home against Harvard and Yale, the Minutemen will play four consecutive road games which will begin with two games in Florida for the Florida Everblades College Classic. Following the Classic, UMass will play two conference games at Providence and at Fenway Park, where the Minutemen will take on Vermont.

In order to improve their current ninth place position in the conference, UMass will need to start picking up points on the road. In eight away games, the Minutemen have picked up just one point.

“I don’t really know what it is,” said Sheary regarding UMass’ away struggles. “We have to figure that out ourselves. We have to prepare better on the road and be mentally tough.”

“Our facilities are a little bit different but I’ve had plenty of teams that have won big games on the road,” added Cahoon “The answer to that is just putting that out of your mind and going to play the game [which] is played between the glass.”

Steve Levine can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @MDC_Levine.