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Freshman defenseman Zac Jones had two assists for the Minutemen
Massachusetts Edged By Denver, 4-3

DENVER, Colo. - No. 9 University of Massachusetts hockey led 2-0 early in the first, but No. 7/5 Denver answered by scoring the next four goals in the contest and held on late to edge the Minutemen, 4-3 at Magness Arena. The loss leaves UMass at 13-6-1, while the Pioneers improve to 13-4-3.

"We played about 50 good minutes tonight and against a top team, 50 is not enough," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "We learned lessons this weekend that will help us going forward. I think this was a weekend to show us exactly what we are and where we're at and where we need to better, so we'll take that out of this weekend with two close losses."

Sophomore Bobby Trivigno opened the scoring for the Minutemen 4:15 into the first period, sliding a puck underneath goaltender Magnus Chrona off a pass from freshman Zac Jones and sophomore Colin Felix.

Then at the 10:46 mark, junior John Leonard stickhandled around Chrona's left pad to net a power-play goal that put UMass up by a pair. Jones and sophomore Marc Del Gaizo earned the assists on the tally.

Denver halved its deficit at the 15:55 mark with a power-play goal of its own from Liam Finlay from Brett Stapley and Ryan Barrow.

Late in the second period another Pioneers' power-play goal by Emilio Petersen tied the score at 2-2 and began a stretch of three tallies for Denver in a span of two minutes, 20 seconds as Bobby Brink and Cole Guttman found the back of the net, as well.

Senior Jack Suter flung a puck home from the slot off a pass from sophomore Ty Farmer with 3.1 seconds to go in the frame to bring UMass back to within one at 4-3 heading into the final stanza.

The Minutemen had several chances in the third to pick up the equalizer, including a power play over the final 1:46, but were unable to convert.

UMass ended the night with a 42-37 edge in shots and went 1-for-8 with the man advantage while Denver was 2-for-4.

Matt Murray made 33 saves in net for the Minutemen and Chrona totaled 39 stops for the Pioneers.

UMass will be back in action next Friday, January 10, when the squad will travel to Chestnut Hill to face No. 5/4 Boston College at 7 p.m.

Game Summary

Saturday, January 4, 2020

3
4
Game statistics
42 Shots 37
1 / 8 Power Plays 2 / 4
10 / 20 PIM 14 / 28
13-6-1 Records 13-4-3
GOAL SCORERS
Massachusetts Denver
Bobby Trivigno (7)
1st/4:15
John Leonard (12)
1st/10:46 PP
Liam Finlay (4)
1st/15:55 PP
Emilio Pettersen (4)
2nd/14:32 PP
Bobby Brink (8)
2nd/16:19
Cole Guttman (9)
2nd/16:52  GW
Jack Suter (2)
2nd/19:56.9
GOALTENDERS
Massachusetts Denver
Matt Murray
58:32, 33 Saves, 4 GA
(L, 8-2-0)

Empty Net
1:28, 0 GA
Magnus Chrona
59:40, 39 Saves, 3 GA
(W, 10-4-2)

Empty Net
0:20, 0 GA