AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Modern Hampshire men’s hockey team suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of No. 19 UMass on Friday evening at the Mullins Center in a Hockey East matchup. The loss drops the Wildcats to 12-16-1 overall and 6-12-1 in conference play, while the Minutemen improve to 18-11-0 and 11-8-0 in Hockey East.
The game saw UMass establish control early, capitalizing on offensive opportunities and shutting down the Wildcats’ attack. Despite a strong effort from UNH goaltender Kyle Chauvette, the Minutemen’s consistent pressure proved too much to overcome. This result marks a setback for UNH as they navigate the competitive Hockey East landscape.
UMass wasted little time getting on the board, with Lukas Klecka scoring just 41 seconds into the game on a one-timer assisted by Owen Murray. Larry Keenan extended the lead to 2-0 at 6:08, capitalizing on a power play opportunity. Bo Cosman added another goal for the Minutemen at 15:01 of the first period, firing a slap shot from the right faceoff circle to make it 3-0.
The Wildcats had a chance to respond in the second period, earning a penalty shot at 14:27. However, junior alternate captain J.P. Turner’s attempt was denied by UMass goaltender Michael Hrabal, keeping UNH scoreless. Francesco Dell’Elce sealed the victory for UMass in the third period, scoring at 4:07 to push the final score to 4-0.
Game Statistics
UMass dominated the shot count, outshooting UNH 29-21. The Wildcats struggled on the power play, going 0-for-1, while the Minutemen converted on 1 of their 3 power play chances. Senior goalie Kyle Chauvette recorded 25 saves for UNH, while Hrabal posted 21 saves for UMass.
What’s Next for the Wildcats
UNH will have a quick turnaround as they conclude the home-and-home series against No. 19 UMass on Saturday, February 21. The game, designated as Family Night, will be played at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex and will be broadcast on NESN and ESPN+. Following the game, selected Wildcats will be available for postgame autographs. Tickets are available at UNHWildcats.com/BuyTickets or by calling the ticket office at (603) 862-4000.
The Wildcats will appear to rebound from this defeat and find the back of the net against a strong UMass team. The series finale presents an opportunity to assess their progress and build momentum as they approach the end of the regular season and prepare for potential playoff contention.
Share your thoughts on the game and the Wildcats’ performance in the comments below.
