Rapid Reaction: UMass 3, Merrimack 0

The Massachusetts hockey team defeated Merrimack 3-0 on Senior Night at the Mullins Center.

Shea scores: Colin Shea put UMass up 3-0 when he scored from the point. The puck appeared to have been redirected by a Warrior along the way and as a result it went over Sam Marotta’s shoulder and into the net.

UMass dominates first period: The Minutemen scored twice in the first period with the first coming from Adam Phillips when he scored off of a beautiful feed from one of UMass’ four seniors on Senior Night, Rocco Carzo. The Minutemen scored another when Conor Sheary tapped in an easy rebound. Branden Gracel had the original shot that produced the rebound and Phillips also got an assist.

Ejection and bench minor: In the second period, Branden Gracel was hit hard along the boards by a Merrimack player. Gracel then went down to the ice, but was able to skate off under his own power. The referees did not call a penalty on the hit, which upset the Minutemen and they protested. UMass was given a bench minor as a result. Mike Busillo was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for making contact to the head of a Warrior on an open ice hit during the first period.

Senior Night: The Minutemen’s four seniors, Carzo, Eddie Olczyk, Kevin Czepiel and Darren Rowe were honored after the game on Senior Night. Olczyk was injured last night and could not play tonight, but he was allowed to sit on the bench during his final game.

1st Intermission thoughts: UMass 2, Merrimack 0

The Massachusetts hockey team had a strong first period and it leads Merrimack 2-0 at the first intermission.

Phillips strikes first: The Minutemen got on the board first when Adam Phillips scored off of a beautiful feed from one of UMass’ four seniors on Senior Night, Rocco Carzo.

Sheary adds another: The Minutemen scored another when Conor Sheary tapped in an easy rebound. Branden Gracel had the original shot that produced the rebound and Phillips also got an assist.

Olczyk on the bench: Despite getting injured last night, Eddie Olczyk is being allowed to sit on the bench on Senior Night. He is one of four seniors being honored along with Carzo, Kevin Czepiel and Darren Rowe.

Bussilo ejected: Mike Busillo was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for making contact to the head of a Warrior on an open ice hit during the first period.

Rapid Reaction: UMass 5, Maine 2

Taylor C. Snow/ Collegian

Taylor C. Snow/ Collegian

The Massachusetts hockey team defeated Maine 5-2 Saturday night at the Mullins Center. With the win, the Minutemen (11-17-2, 8-14-1 Hockey East Association) are back in eighth place and one point ahead of the Black Bears (9-17-6, 5-12-6 for the final spot in the Hockey East Playoffs.

LaRue puts UMass ahead in third: Fourth-line forward Zack LaRue put the Minutemen back on top with a goal in the third period, when he put home a rebound that Maine goalie Martin Ouellette couldn’t cover up. Conor Sheary added on an insurance goal later in the third. Kevin Czepiel added an empty-net goal in the final minute of the game to wrap up the two points.

UMass goes up early: With 14:09 remaining in the first period, Adam Phillips put UMass up 1-0 when he put home a rebound off of a shot by Rocco Carzo. Then Branden Gracel put the Minutemen up 2-0 at the time when he shot a rocket that beat Ouellette over his glove at the 7:47 mark in the frame.

Maine responds in second: The Black Bears dominated the second period with a pair of goals to tie the game up at 2-2. Both goals came on wrist shots that beat UMass goalie Steve Mastalerz. Jake Rutt scored the first one on a power play goal. Then Bill Norman tied the game later in the frame.

Up Next: UMass will be back in action next weekend when it travels to No. 5 New Hampshire for a pair of road games. Friday’s puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

First Intermission Report: UMass 2, Maine 0

The Massachusetts hockey team leads Maine 2-0 after one period of action at the Mullins Center.

Phillips gets things started: The Minutemen were shut out by Martin Ouellette of the Black Bears last night, but it didn’t take long for them to score Saturday. With 14:09 remaining in the first period, Adam Phillips put UMass up 1-0 when he put home a rebound off of a shot by Rocco Carzo.

Gracel snipe: The Minutemen got an insurance goal from Branden Gracel when he shot a rocket that beat Ouellette over his glove at the 7:47 mark in the frame.

Stats: Ouellette made seven saves and Steve Mastalerz made six. UMass outshot Maine 9-6. Joel Hanley and Conor Sheary assisted Gracel’s goal. Steven Guzzo was credited with a secondary assist on Phillips’ goal. No penalties for either team yet.

UMass vs. Colgate first intermission thoughts

The Massachusetts (5-6-2) hockey team and Colgate (7-7-2) are all knotted up at 1-1 at the Mullins Center after the first period.

Gracel ties it up: The Minutemen were facing a 1-0 deficit late in the first period until junior forward Branden Gracel tied the game at 1-1 with 27 seconds left in the frame. Both Adam Phillips and Joel Hanley were credited with assists on the goal.

Colgate strikes first: The Raiders scored the game’s first goal 11 minutes, 12 seconds into the game when Kyle Baun redirected Spiro Goulakos’ initial shot for a power play goal. Phillips was in the box for the Minutemen on an interference penalty that happened 9:42 into the first period. Tyson Spink was also credited with an assist on the goal.

Second period preview: Both teams were equally aggressive in the first period. UMass failed to score on another power play in the first period, so can they turn around its recent special teams’ misfortunes?