The schedule has not been friendly of late to the Massachusetts hockey team, which is currently amidst a five-game streak of games against nationally ranked opponents.
But the Minutemen ended their three-game losing streak Friday night against No. 14 Quinnipiac after a 3-2 victory in Hamden, Connecticut.
Steven Iacobellis, Frank Vatrano and Troy Power each contributed goals for UMass (4-8, 1-7 Hockey East) in its first winning effort since Nov. 7 against American International College.
After Bobcats’ defenseman Alex Barron opened Friday’s scoring with 15 minutes, 25 seconds left in the first period, the Minutemen scored three unanswered goals to hold off Quinnipiac.
The forwards line of Steven Iacobellis, Ray Pigozzi and Frank Vatrano – which has combined for 31 points this season — once again played a factor on offense, combining for two goals.
Iacobellis tied the game 1-1 with a power play goal at 17:49 in the opening period. After the game, Iacobellis said that the man-advantage score was a good sign for the Minutemen, whose special teams play on both defense and offense was struggling. Along with Iacobellis’ power play goal, UMass held the Bobcats to 0-for-6 on the man advantage.
“Our penalty kill did an unbelievable job,” Iacobellis said. “Then on the other end, when you get the chance (on the power play) you have to make it count. It was an unbelievable pass by (Patrick Lee) and lucky for me, I had a wide open net.”
Minutemen coach John Micheletto singled out Oleg Yevenko as a crucial player that aided UMass’ success.
“He was a really big factor in tonight’s game leading our defensive corps 5-on-5 as well as on a man down,” Micheletto said. “He doesn’t show up on the score sheet … but his teammates recognized how valuable he was tonight.”
UMass took the lead in the second period after Pigozzi and Vatrano led a 2-on-1 fast break that finished with a Vatrano goal, the redshirt sophomore’s fourth score of the season.
“Their two-man break was a big one,” Micheletto said. “It’s just speed and skill and reading the play appropriately.”
Senior captain Troy Power than extended the Minutemen’s lead to 3-1 in the third period with his second goal of the year. Although starting the season slow in terms of goal production, Micheletto said that he has been a main factor in UMass’ offense all season.
“I don’t think he’s getting going, I think he’s been going. It’s just that now he’s being rewarded with goals,” Micheletto said. “He works hard, he has an influence on the game even when they don’t show up on the score sheet.”
The Minutemen have a quick turnaround, as they return home to the Mullins Center Saturday night to play Quinnipiac for the second straight night.
According to Micheletto, he hopes to continue to see positive signs on special teams, as well as the capability to “respond” to deficits like in Friday’s matchup.
“Our ability to respond after they scored first was really important in the early going,” Micheletto said.
“Ultimately extending the lead and getting to three (goals) first was big for us. We have to continue to make sure that once we get the lead, we have to extend the lead.”
Saturday’s game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
Anthony Chiusano can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @a_chiusano24.
