Muszelik Makes 36 Saves in Friday’s Road Win; Wildcats Rally with Two Third-Period Goals to Take Saturday’s Rematch in Storrs
DURHAM, N.H. AND STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut men’s hockey team split a weekend series with the University of New Hampshire, taking Game 1 by a score of 4-1 on Friday night in Durham before dropping Game 2 4-3 on Saturday at home in Storrs.
The split moves UConn to 7-5-2 overall and 5-3-1 in Hockey East play, while New Hampshire improves to 6-7-0 overall and 3-4-0 in conference action.
Game 1: UConn 4, New Hampshire 1 (Friday, Nov. 21 in Durham)
Muszelik Shines, Freshman Dunphy Nets First Career Goal
UConn goaltender Tyler Muszelik turned in a dominant performance with 36 saves, and freshman Brendan Dunphyscored his first career goal as the Huskies defeated the Wildcats 4-1 in front of 5,688 fans at the Whittemore Center in Durham.
The Huskies weathered an early storm from New Hampshire, which jumped out to the early attack and tested UConn’s penalty kill multiple times in the opening period. The UConn penalty kill held firm, preventing the Wildcats from taking an early lead.
Late in the first period, UConn’s forecheck forced a turnover, and Jake Richard found Dunphy, who capitalized to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
“It was great to see Brendan get his first goal,” UConn head coach Mike Cavanaugh said. “He’s been working hard, and that goal was a result of our forecheck creating pressure.”
Blais Power-Play Goal Extends Lead
In the second period, New Hampshire once again jumped on the attack, but after weathering the early storm, the Huskies found their stride.
Midway through the period, UConn drew a penalty and capitalized on the power play. Freshman Alexandre Blaiscollected the puck and fired it past New Hampshire netminder Kyle Chauvette at 10:49 of the second period to give UConn a 2-0 lead. Carlin Dezainde and Ethan Gardula assisted on the goal, which proved to be the game-winner.
“We maintained possession and gained momentum on that power play,” Cavanaugh said. “Our persistence paid off, and Alexandre made a great shot.”
With time running down in the period, UConn turned the puck over, and the Wildcats capitalized. Morgan Wintersscored at 18:03, assisted by Nick Ring and Brendan Fitzgerald, to cut the UConn lead to 2-1 heading into the third period.
Third-Period Insurance Goals Seal Victory
In the third period, both teams battled and continued to put pressure on the defenses. With the one-goal lead, UConn’s defense held strong, and Muszelik continued to shut the Wildcats down.
Late in the third period, the Huskies extended their lead when a shot by Gardula bounced off a pair of New Hampshire defenders and ended up in the back of the net at 7:29 to give UConn a 3-1 lead. Tristan Fraser and Mike Murtaghassisted on the goal.
With under three minutes remaining, New Hampshire pulled Chauvette in favor of an extra skater. With the goalie pulled, captain Tabor Heaslip scored on the empty net at 18:47 to secure the 4-1 win.
Muszelik’s 36-save performance was one of the best of his season, as he faced constant pressure from a New Hampshire offense that outshot UConn 37-22.
“Tyler was outstanding tonight,” Cavanaugh said. “He made some big saves when we needed them, especially in the first period when they were all over us.”
Game 1 Statistical Breakdown
Scoring Summary:
- 1st Period: Dunphy (Richard, Whitcomb) – 18:01 (EV)
- 2nd Period: Blais (Dezainde, Gardula) – 10:49 (PP, GW); Winters (Ring, Fitzgerald) – 18:03 (EV)
- 3rd Period: Gardula (Fraser, Murtagh) – 7:29 (EV); Heaslip (Unassisted) – 18:47 (EN)
Shots on Goal: UConn 22, New Hampshire 37
Power Plays: UConn 1-for-5, New Hampshire 0-for-3
Goaltending: Tyler Muszelik (UCO) – 36 saves on 37 shots (W); Kyle Chauvette (UNH) – 18 saves on 21 shots (L)
Faceoffs: UConn 34-for-74 (45.9%), New Hampshire 40-for-74 (54.1%)
Penalties: UConn 3-for-6 minutes, New Hampshire 5-for-10 minutes
Attendance: 5,688 at Whittemore Center Arena, Durham, N.H.
Game 2: New Hampshire 4, UConn 3 (Saturday, Nov. 22 in Storrs)
Wildcats Rally with Two Third-Period Goals to Take Game 2
UConn jumped out to an early lead and held a 3-1 advantage midway through the second period, but New Hampshire scored two goals in the final six minutes of the third period to rally for a 4-3 victory in front of 2,248 fans at Freitas Ice Forum in Storrs.
The loss snapped UConn’s momentum from Friday’s dominant road win and highlighted the Huskies’ inability to close out a two-goal lead.
“We had our chances to extend the lead, but we couldn’t capitalize,” Cavanaugh said. “Credit to New Hampshire—they kept pushing, and they found a way to win.”
Percival Strikes First, Huskies Build Lead
The first period began with UConn jumping out on the early attack, pressuring the New Hampshire defense.
Midway through the first period, senior Jake Percival collected the puck at the New Hampshire blue line and, after weaving his way through the defense, fired a shot past Wildcat netminder Jared Whale at 7:28 to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead. Blais assisted on the goal.
“Jake made a great individual effort on that goal,” Cavanaugh said. “He showed his skill and his ability to create offense.”
UConn looked to build on the lead but was unable to extend it before the first intermission.
Second-Period Surge Gives UConn 3-1 Lead
In the second period, New Hampshire found the equalizer when J.P. Turner was left all alone in front of UConn goaltender Kam Hendrickson and beat him at 6:58. Cam MacDonald assisted on the goal.
The Huskies responded on the ensuing shift when Kaden Shahan was left alone on a breakaway and beat Whale at 7:24 to restore the UConn lead at 2-1. Ryan Tattle assisted on the goal.
Following a tripping penalty on Dunphy, the Huskies’ penalty kill was sent out on the ice. While on the kill, pressure from Tattle forced a turnover, and the puck was collected by Joey Muldowney, who fired it back to Tattle for a shorthanded goal at 9:48 to give UConn a 3-1 lead.
“That was a huge goal for us,” Cavanaugh said. “Ryan’s pressure created the turnover, and Joey made a great play to get him the puck.”
Late in the period, New Hampshire capitalized on a power play when Jacob Newcombe scored at 15:23, assisted by Alex Carr and Nick De Angelis, to cut the UConn lead to 3-2 heading into the third period.
Third-Period Collapse Costs UConn
The third period was all New Hampshire, as the Wildcats scored two goals in the final six minutes to complete the comeback.
Ring tied the game at 3-3 at 14:24, assisted by Newcombe and Felix Gagnon, before Kristaps Skrastins scored the game-winner just 66 seconds later at 15:30. Fitzgerald and Conner de Haro assisted on the game-winning goal.
UConn had chances to extend its lead earlier in the period but was unable to capitalize. Following the two-goal surge by New Hampshire, the Huskies pulled Hendrickson in favor of an extra skater but were unable to find the equalizer.
“We had our opportunities, but we didn’t finish,” Cavanaugh said. “In a one-goal game, every chance matters, and we didn’t capitalize when we needed to.”
Huskies News:
- Fudd Scores 31, Strong Records 20-Rebound Double-Double as No. 1 UConn Survives No. 6 Michigan’s Rally, 72-69
- Pellerin Hat Trick Powers No. 9 UConn Past Vermont in Shutout Victory
- UConn Men’s Ice Hockey Building Momentum with 6-4-2 Start: Huskies Find Identity Through Early-Season Adversity
Game 2 Statistical Breakdown
Scoring Summary:
- 1st Period: Percival (Blais) – 7:28 (EV)
- 2nd Period: Turner (MacDonald) – 6:58 (EV); Shahan (Tattle) – 7:24 (EV); Tattle (Muldowney) – 9:48 (SH); Newcombe (Carr, De Angelis) – 15:23 (PP)
- 3rd Period: Ring (Newcombe, Gagnon) – 14:24 (EV); Skrastins (Fitzgerald, de Haro) – 15:30 (EV, GW)
Shots on Goal: New Hampshire 26, UConn 33
Power Plays: New Hampshire 1-for-2, UConn 0-for-0
Goaltending: Jared Whale (UNH) – 30 saves on 33 shots (W); Kam Hendrickson (UCO) – 22 saves on 26 shots (L)
Faceoffs: New Hampshire 32-for-58 (55.2%), UConn 26-for-58 (44.8%)
Penalties: UConn 2-for-4 minutes, New Hampshire 0-for-0 minutes
Attendance: 2,248 at Freitas Ice Forum, Storrs, Conn.
Key Takeaways from the Weekend
1. Goaltending Contrast: Tyler Muszelik’s 36-save performance in Game 1 was a game-changer, while Kam Hendrickson struggled to close out Game 2 despite a strong start.
2. Special Teams: UConn’s power play was effective in Game 1 (1-for-5) and the penalty kill was outstanding in Game 2 (shorthanded goal), but the Huskies’ inability to kill a late second-period power play in Game 2 proved costly.
3. Third-Period Execution: UConn controlled the third period in Game 1 but collapsed in Game 2, allowing two goals in the final six minutes.
4. Freshman Impact: Brendan Dunphy and Alexandre Blais both scored their first goals of the season in Game 1, providing a glimpse of the future for the Huskies.
What’s Next for UConn
UConn will have a quick turnaround as the Huskies host Stonehill on Tuesday, November 25, at the XL Center in Hartford. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Huskies will look to rebound from Saturday’s disappointing loss and build on the momentum from Friday’s dominant road performance.
“We have to learn from this weekend,” Cavanaugh said. “We played a great Game 1, but we let Game 2 slip away. We need to be better at closing out games.”
Game Notes:
- UConn is now 7-5-2 overall and 5-3-1 in Hockey East
- New Hampshire is 6-7-0 overall and 3-4-0 in Hockey East
- Tyler Muszelik made 36 saves in Game 1, his best performance of the season
- Brendan Dunphy and Alexandre Blais scored their first goals of the season in Game 1
- Ryan Tattle scored a shorthanded goal in Game 2
- UConn outshot New Hampshire 33-26 in Game 2 but lost 4-3
- Next game: Stonehill at XL Center, Hartford, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m.
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