UConn's season ends with 2-1 loss to Michigan State in NCAA Tournament

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UConn men’s ice hockey team played an impassioned 60 minutes in the NCAA Tournament opening round on Thursday, but it wasn’t enough to upend the region’s top seed in Michigan State, falling 2-1.

Despite the disparity in seeding, the Huskies skated stride for stride with the Spartans. They put 42 shots on net — the first time Michigan State has allowed more than 40 in a game this season — but only came away with one goal, going 0-5 on the power play in a heavy-whistled game that saw a combined 12 penalties given out between the two benches. 

A broken plexiglass pane along the boards at DCU Arena delayed puck drop by 25 minutes, only further mounting anticipation for the first game of the NCAA Tournament. 

At nearly 2 p.m., the game finally got underway. It didn’t take long for UConn to encounter its first scoring change as a cross-check gave the Huskies the first man-advantage. They had three power-play chances in the opening period, but they failed to convert on all. 

There was a noticeable heightened tempo to UConn’s game in the opening frame. The Huskies played fast and physical, sticking with and even outplaying the No. 3 team in the nation at times. They put Michigan State goaltender Trey Augustine on his heels early with an edge in pressure. He saw 18 shots in the first period, while the Spartans managed just eight. 

The aggressive approach paid off with four minutes to play in the first frame. Joey Muldowney fired a shot on Augustine on a two-man rush. The net-minder made the initial save but the rebound bounced directly to Tabor Heaslip, who banged in the game’s first goal.

Not long after, the Huskies had a golden chance to double their lead. An Alexandre Blais one-timer on the power play looked destined to find mesh, only for Augustine to come up with a spectacular glove save to keep the score 1-0. 

With two minutes to play, the Spartans got their first chance on the power play. Freshman Ryker Lee walked in from the point, moved in near the goal line, and pulled off a dazzling move to beat Tyler Muszelik and even the score. 

As a fourth power-play chance fell short for the Huskies, a turnover led Michigan State’s Daniel Russell alone in the other direction. Carlin Dezainde hooked Russell from behind, leading to a penalty shot. Muszelik answered the bell and bottled up the chance to keep the game tied at one. 

It was one of multiple premium chances Michigan State created in the second period. The Huskies’ best chance came under the 10-minute mark, when a turnover put the puck on Ryan Tattle’s stick point blank in front of Augustine. A shot deflected off Augustine’s pad right to Jake Richard, who ripped a follow-up that Augustine gloved easily.  

Duel slashing minors following the play saw the two sides playing 4-on-4. While the Huskies controlled the draw to start, a brutal cough-up in their end put the Spartans' leading scorer Porter Martone in a 2-on-1 in front of Muszelik. He and Tiernan Shoudy ran the give-and-go to perfection, and Martone slid in the go-ahead tally to give MSU the lead. 

Before the middle frame’s end, three more penalties were dished out. Augustine was again up to the task on a fifth UConn power-play opportunity, squashing several Husky chances. The final two minutes were played 4-on-4, but Michigan State’s 2-1 lead held into the second intermission. Shots remained lopsided in UConn’s favor, 28-18.

With 20 minutes to play for their season, the Huskies struggled to flip the momentum back in their favor. Muszelik remained steady to keep the Spartan offense at bay, but UConn never overcame Augustine's brilliance.

The Huskies called Muszelik to the bench for an extra attacker with 2:10 to play. The Spartans cranked up the defensive effort, clearing multiple pucks as UConn threw everything it had at the net. Tattle found Richard for a last-ditch effort with five seconds until the buzzer, backhanding a pass on the doorstep of the crease, but Augustine slammed the door one final time to send the Huskies home.

After Merrimack’s Max Lundgren stonewalled the Huskies in the Hockey East title game with 49 saves, UConn fell victim again to brilliant goaltending. The Big Ten Goaltender of the Year finished with 41 saves and the lone goal allowed.

The Huskies finish the season with a 20-13-5 overall record, a second-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament and a second Connecticut Ice crown.

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