UConn shuts out Merrimack, 3-0

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UConn men’s hockey earned its first shutout of the season with a 3-0 victory over the Merrimack Warriors at Lawler Rink on Friday night.

Alexandre Blais, Kaden Shahan and Jake Richard scored in the win while Tyler Muszelik went a perfect 19-19 between the pipes, the second time he’s held the opposition without a goal as a member of the Huskies.

Both sides had two power play opportunities, though neither converted.

The first period featured plenty of extracurricular activities. Mike Murtagh sparked tensions by picking up an interference penalty with an open-ice check. Soon after, Joey Muldowney whacked a Merrimack player with his stick and promptly got laid out. Later, Ethan Gardula absorbed a big hit and Blais answered back by laying out a Warriors skater.

The latter sparked an all-out fracas. Merrimack retaliated on Blais and Carlin Dezainde backed up his teammate by getting into a tussle with Cam Kungle. Blais taunted the Warriors’ bench while everyone else on the ice exchanged pleasantries. Dezainde and Kungle both picked up 10-minute misconducts in addition to roughing minors after needing to be separated off the ice by an official.

When the two sides actually played hockey, UConn controlled possession. The Huskies racked up a 27-11 edge in attempts and 13-4 advantage in shots on goal but failed to find the back of the net. Through 20 minutes, the two sides remained tied at 0-0.

The intermission helped bring the temperature down. After a combined 10 penalties in the opening frame, neither side went to the box the rest of the way.

UConn finally broke through for the opening goal after hemming Merrimack in its own zone. Amid a scramble in front of the net, Blais knocked the puck over the goal line while falling to the ice. The Warriors challenged for goaltender interference but the goal stood, putting the Huskies up 1-0. That lead held into the final intermission.

After putting up 52 attempts and 28 shots through 40 minutes, the dam finally broke for UConn in the third. Shahan got it going with his fourth goal in the last five games with a snipe down low. 1:41 later, Richard made it 3-0 by ripping a shot into the twine from the slot.

Merrimack never threatened a comeback and the Huskies came away with a comfortable three-goal victory. With the win, UConn improves to 8-5-3 overall and 6-3-1.

Next, the Huskies will go for the sweep tomorrow when they wrap up the first half against the Warriors. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m. ET.

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