The Massachusetts (6-1-1, 4-1-0 Hockey East) offense exploded for eight goals — the Minutemen’s most in a single game since 2004 — to defeat Connecticut (3-8-0, 3-4-0 AHA) 8-1 on Saturday afternoon, remaining undefeated at home (4-0-1).
The No. 20 Minutemen are riding a four game win streak and return to conference play Tuesday night when they host rival Vermont.
The Minutemen wasted no time getting on the board, scoring just 41 seconds into the game and on the first shift. In fact, Massachusetts put up three goals in the span of 4:04 to open the game — four in the first 10 minutes — and all four were scored with the forward line of Capraro-Quirk-Davis on the ice.
Cory Quirk scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season at the 41-second mark, assisted by Chris Capraro and Chris Davis. Mark Matheson, moved back to defense for the game, scored his second in as many games at 2:35 with the man advantage. Capraro again was credited with the assist before scoring his first of two at 4:04. He followed that up with the second power play tally of the afternoon at 9:58 to make it a 4-0 contest.
Through the first period, shots were 16-9 in favor of UConn, but UMass’ top line combined for nine points in the four-goal lead. The Minutemen were 2-for-3 on the power play and a perfect 4-4 on the penalty kill. That mark included an extended 5-on-3 for the visitors.
The Huskies cracked the scoreboard three minutes into the middle stanza. Alec Kirschner made the most of Jon Quick being down in the crease, scoring his first collegiate goal and bringing UConn within three. Jarrett Scarpaci and Chris Myhro assisted on the play.
The Capraro-Quirk-Davis magic continued in the third, when Davis scored his first of the game at 2:09, assisted by Quirk and Mike Kostka. Quirk added his second and third of the game at 7:25 and 10:03, respectively, earning his first collegiate hat trick.
Capraro, Davis and Kostka all received assists in the scoring outburst, bringing the score to 7-1. P.J. Fenton topped the night off with an unassisted tally at 18:28
Jon Quick made 27 saves in the win, while freshman Dan Meyers saw approximately 10 minutes of game time in the third, turning away all five shots.
Overall, shots were 33-29 in favor of the visitors. UMass was 2-7 on the PP, a perfect 6-6 on the PK. Capraro, Davis and Quirk each had five-point nights, while defenseman Kostka added four helpers. Those marks were all single-game career bests for the four Minutemen.
