AMHERST, Mass. – The Northeastern Huskies men’s hockey team saw their season come to an end Saturday afternoon, falling 4-1 to the No. 15 UMass Minutemen in the Hockey East Quarterfinals at the Mullins Center. The loss concludes a challenging season for Northeastern, whereas UMass advances in the tournament.
The second-seeded Minutemen opened the scoring early, just 3:47 into the first period, with a goal from Larry Keenan. This quick strike set the tone for a game where UMass consistently applied pressure. The Huskies, seeded seventh in the tournament, battled to stay within striking distance, and managed to equalize late in the first period.
Austen May’s stretch pass found Joe Connor in the offensive zone, creating a scoring opportunity. Connor’s shot was initially stopped, but Griffin Erdman was there to capitalize on the rebound, burying his sixth goal of the season and tying the game at 1-1 with under two minutes remaining in the period. The goal injected momentum into the Huskies’ game, but it wouldn’t be enough to sustain them through the remainder of the contest.
UMass regained the lead with just 28.5 seconds left in the second period. Jack Musa’s goal put the Minutemen ahead 2-1, shifting the momentum back in their favor. The Minutemen continued to build on their lead in the third period, adding two more goals to secure the victory. Vaclav Mestrasal and Cam O’Neill each found the back of the net, extending UMass’s lead to 4-1.
Northeastern goaltender Lawton Zacher faced a barrage of shots, turning aside 23 of the 27 he faced. Despite the loss, captain Vinny Borgesi led both teams with three blocked shots, demonstrating his defensive commitment. The Huskies finished the season with an overall record of 17-18-1, a mark that reflects a season of both promise and challenges.
The Hockey East Quarterfinals matchup showcased the competitive nature of college hockey. UMass’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and maintain pressure proved to be the difference in the game. The Minutemen now move on to the Hockey East Semifinals, continuing their pursuit of a conference championship. You can find more information about the Hockey East tournament bracket on the official Hockey East website.
This game marked the end of the season for the Huskies, who will now focus on recruiting and preparing for the next campaign. The team will look to build on the experience gained this season and return stronger next year. The UMass Minutemen, currently ranked No. 15 nationally according to UMass Athletics, will aim to continue their strong play in the semifinals.
The Huskies’ season, while ending in defeat, provided moments of excitement and growth for the program. The team’s performance throughout the year demonstrated their potential, and they will undoubtedly look to translate that potential into success in the future. Fans can stay updated on Northeastern Hockey news and schedules on the official Northeastern Athletics website.
What comes next for the Hockey East tournament remains to be seen, but UMass will undoubtedly be a team to watch as they compete for the championship title. The outcome of the semifinals will determine which teams will advance to the championship game, promising further exciting action for college hockey fans.
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