UConn guts out 5-1 win over Merrimack

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UConn men’s hockey gutted out a 5-1 win over the Merrimack Warriors that was far closer than the final score indicated. The two teams were deadlocked at 1-1 entering the third period before Mike Murtagh scored the eventual game-winner 3:26 into the third period.

The Huskies then tagged on three goals in the final two minutes, two of which were empty-netters. Murtagh finished with a pair while Jake Richard, Ethan Gardula and Kaden Shahan also found the back of the net.

Tyler Muszelik started for the seventh time in eight games and stopped 20 of the 21 shots that he faced. UConn went 1-2 on the penalty kill and 1-3 on the power play.

The Huskies needed just 48 seconds to get on the board. They won the opening draw then set up in their offensive zone, keeping it in there long enough to change forward lines. Richard got the puck along the goal line and sniped a shot near-side high to make it 1-0.

UConn then almost surrendered the lead immediately. Merrimack came down on a 2v1 rush but whiffed on an open shot, thus ending the danger. Moments later, the Warriors got behind the defense again, only to be thwarted by a strong back-check from Anthony Allain-Samaké.

After going without a power play yesterday, UConn got the first of the night early in the opening period. The Huskies created a few good looks but couldn’t ultimately capitalize before the man-advantage expired.

A few minutes later, Merrimack got its first chance with the extra skater and took advantage. Muszelik stopped an initial shot from the point but Caden Cranston cleaned up the rebound to pull his side even at 1-1.

The two teams traded chances during a high-event opening stanza that featured a combined 36 shots but the scoreline held into the first intermission.

The Warriors came out on the front foot to start the second period but UConn quickly turned the tide in its favor. The Huskies ultimately racked up a 14-3 edge in shots during the frame but didn’t turn any of them into goals.

Out of the intermission, UConn continued to pile up the chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. At long last, Murtagh kicked the door down. A shot from Dunphy created a scramble down low and the sophomore forward skated in to bury the loose puck. That gave the Huskies a 2-1 lead with 16:43 remaining.

Merrimack pulled the goalie with 2:04 left but UConn scored an empty-netter 21 seconds later when Gardula chased down a loose puck and buried it from a tough angle.. 17 ticks onwards, Murtagh notched his second goal of the night with an empty-netter of his own to make it 4-1. Then with 18 seconds remaining, Shahan scored on the power play to reach the final score of 5-1.

With the win, UConn improves to 4-3-1 on the season and 2-1-0 in Hockey East. The Huskies will wrap up their four-game home stand next Friday when they take on No. 16 Providence in Storrs.

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