UConn ties Harvard, 1-1

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UConn men’s hockey skated to a 1-1 tie with the Harvard Crimson on Friday night at Toscano Family Ice Forum. The Huskies had no trouble generating chances but struggled to convert them, finishing just one of 37 shots.

Tabor Heaslip had UConn’s lone goal while Tyler Muszelik starred between the pipes with 36 saves. The Huskies went 2-2 on the penalty kill and didn’t have a power play.

After a choppy start in which neither side could get going between frequent whistles, Harvard got the first power play of the day. While UConn struggled to clear the puck, a couple big saves from Muszelik helped keep the game scoreless. As the penalty expired, the Huskies sprung an odd-man rush but — as would be the theme of the night — couldn’t make anything of it.

It wouldn’t stay tied long, though. A minute later, Heaslip got behind the defense and scored five-hole to give UConn a 1-0 advantage.

That scoreline held into the third period, though not for a lack of chances. The Huskies piled up grade-A looks but couldn’t find a second goal. Joey Muldowney failed to convert on a breakaway, Ryan Tattle hit the post and other opportunities were denied by Harvard goalie Ben Charette.

By failing to extend the lead, UConn left the door open for the Crimson. 90 seconds into the third period, the visitors made them pay. After the Huskies came up empty on an odd-man rush, Harvard’s Matthew Morden dropped the puck to Richard Gallant in transition, who ripped a shot past Muszelik from the face-off dot. That evened the score at 1-1.

Despite the teams traded chances down the stretch, the game remained deadlocked at the end of regulation. For the first time this season, UConn went to overtime.

The Huskies owned much of the possession in the 3×3 period but only managed a pair of shots. While a scrum in the crease resulted in UConn putting the puck in the net, the officials waived it off for goaltender interference and upheld the call upon review.

Neither side found ultimately found a winner which sealed the 1-1 tie. The teams went to an exhibition shootout, which UConn captured after 10 rounds thanks to Huston Karpman.

Next, the Huskies will return to Hockey East play on Saturday when they host Merrimack at Toscano Family Ice Forum. Puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m. ET.

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