The Massachusetts club hockey won on an honorary night, topping Vermont 5-3 on Senior Night.
Seniors Greg Berube, Reily Cavanaugh and Mike Spunt were not only honored, but played major roles in the win.
Additionally, the Minutemen welcomed members of the Amherst Hockey Association and gave them the unique opportunity to play an eight-minute scrimmage before the Minutemen and Vermont faced off.
Seven and a half minutes into the first period, Miguel Rojas notched UMass’ first goal of the game after taking a nice pass from Mark Fidler.
The Catamounts tied the score at 1-1 after scoring a power-play goal.
The Minutemen came out fast to open the second period and Fidler put UMass on top after beating the Vermont goaltender with a nice wrist shot from the slot.
The Minutemen’s penalty woes got the best of them midway through the second period after a high sticking call on Brett Mason led to another equalizer for the Catamounts.
But Mason made amends for his earlier penalty as he put UMass on top 3-2, slipping the puck five-hole to give the Minutemen their third lead of the night.
Minutemen fall to Bryant
The Minutemen couldn’t overcome a three-goal first period against Bryant on Friday night, falling 4-2 at Mullins Center.
The flat start by the Minutemen proved to be the difference in the game. Despite getting back two of the goals, UMass never quite clawed its way back.
Matthew Zackman can be reached at [email protected].