Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

First line forwards look to lift UMass hockey past Merrimack

Following his team’s 5-1 win over Boston University last Friday, Massachusetts hockey forward Michael Pereira claimed his line to be one of the fastest in Hockey East, if not one of the fastest in the country.

Pereira’s line – which includes fellow juniors Branden Gracel and Conor Sheary – has been UMass’ top line both on paper and in the scoresheet, and has overwhelmed opponents with the ability to win the race for the puck and beat the defensemen to the net. And while this group has only been assembled since Dec. 11, they’ve already had an enormous impact on the success of the team.

The Minutemen (10-12-2, 7-9-1 HEA) are 5-4 since UMass coach John Micheletto named his first line, including three wins against nationally-ranked opponents – two of them on the road – in which the trio has had a significant role in the outcome of the game.

On Dec. 31, UMass’ first line scored two of the team’s three goals in a 3-2 win over then-No. 8 Dartmouth to clinch the Ledyard National Bank Classic title, with Gracel being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring the game-winner.

Pereira then scored the game-winner for the Minutemen in a 5-2 upset at then-No. 2 Boston College on Jan. 18, while Gracel added a pair of goals that were assisted by Sheary. The first line did it once more two weeks later as Pereira led the way with two goals and two assists in last Friday’s win over the then-No. 11 Terriers. The trio accounted for four goals.

“The chemistry the three of us have gained since we’ve started playing together is a huge thing for us,” Gracel said. “We know where each other is on the ice, we can make passes without having to see our linemates. Also, all three of us are skilled and speed players, and we use that to our advantage.”

This group will likely be asked to come up big again on Sunday afternoon when UMass goes up against one of Hockey East’s up-and-coming goaltenders in Sam Marotta and Merrimack at Lawler Arena.

The Warriors (12-10-5, 10-6-2 HEA) have arguably been the hottest team in Hockey East as of late, winning four of their last five games and climbing their way up to third in the conference standings.

At the forefront of that success has been Marotta, who allowed just one goal combined in a pair of wins against UMass Lowell and New Hampshire last weekend, including 51 saves on Saturday against the Wildcats. The sophomore currently boasts a 2.09 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.

“There’s no such thing as a bad shot on a small ice surface, especially with the way that (Marotta) has been playing,” Micheletto said. “We need to make sure that we get to them early, make sure we’re getting shots and bodies to the net.”

Regardless of who is in net for UMass, whether it be Kevin Boyle or Steve Mastalerz, they will have to be well aware whenever Mike Collins is on the ice.

The junior forward is by far the team’s biggest scoring threat at 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists) with the closest teammate at 13 points.

However, that makes Micheletto more confident in the balance his team has throughout the lineup, because there is no singular player the Warriors can take out of the game.

This, of course, is especially the case with the Minutemen’s first line.

“It’s not like opposing teams can focus on one, or try to neutralize any one of them, because they’re all dangerous in their own right,” Micheletto said. “When their game is working as it has been then it’s fun.

On any given night it could be Conor Sheary’s night, it could be Gracel’s night, it could be Mike Pereira’s night,” he added. “So that’s a nice situation to have that you’re not riding on the back of just one guy.”

Puck drop for Sunday’s game is slated for 4 p.m.

Nick Canelas can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @NickCanelas.

 

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