MASSACHUSETTS AND MAINE SKATE TO 1-1 TIE
Senior forward Conor Sheary scores game-tying goal for Minutemen

Senior forward Conor Sheary scored the game-tying goal for the Minutemen

AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass hockey team rallied from a 1-0 deficit to earn its first Hockey East point of the season, skating to a 1-1 tie with Maine on Friday night at the Mullins Center. Following the draw, UMass is 2-4-1 on the year, 0-1-1 in league play, while the Black Bears sit at 3-2-1, 0-0-1 in conference action.

Senior Conor Sheary scored UMass' lone goal of the contest, his second of season to extend his point scoring streak to four straight games (2g, 2a), while sophomore Ben Gallacher logged an assist for a second consecutive contest. Freshman Marc Hetnik registered a helper, as well, for his first collegiate point.

After a scoreless first period, in which Maine out-shot the Minutemen, 10-3, the Black Bears took a 1-0 lead 3:35 into the second. Connor Leen sent an outlet pass to Devin Shore who tapped the puck over the Ben Hutton for the power-play goal on the odd-man rush.

The Minutemen did come up with the equalizer, though, with a goal at the end of the frame. After collecting a pass from Gallacher and Hetnik at the points, senior Conor Sheary wristed a shot past Martin Ouellette from inside the left faceoff circle at the 17:28 mark.

UMass controlled the bulk of the play in the third and nearly took the lead midway through the period. However, Ouellette turned aside senior Michael Pereira's breakaway attempt with 8:07 remaining.

Maine later had a would-be go-ahead goal called back with 45 seconds remaining in regulation for goaltender interference.

UMass had a 4-1 edge in shots in the extra period and finished the night with a 32-27 advantage in attempts. The Minutemen were held without a power-play goal for the first time this season, going 0-for-4 with the man advantage, while the Black Bears were 1-for-5.

Junior Steve Mastalerz totaled 26 saves in net for UMass and Ouellette had 31 stops for Maine.

The teams will play the final game of four straight meetings between the squads tomorrow night, Nov. 2, in the Mullins Center at 7 p.m.