Huskies secure hard fought win over #16 Ohio State

STORRS, Conn. — The University of Connecticut men’s ice hockey team  secured a 3-2 victory over the no.16 Ohio State University on Friday night, with a decisive second-period performance that included two goals. Tyler Muszelik made 32 saves to help clinch the win.

UConn began the first period with aggressive play, winning the opening faceoff and dominating early possession. Ryan Tattle led the charge with multiple shots on goal, though none found the back of the net. Midway through the period, Mike Murtagh broke the deadlock  as  Alexandre Blais found him cross ice before beating his defender putting UConn up 1-0.

Ohio St. responded later in the period as Max Montes equalized with a goal at 1:43 remaining. Both teams entered the intermission tied at 1-1, with UConn poised to start the second period on a power play following a late slashing penalty against Ohio St.

UConn started the second period with momentum, winning the initial faceoff and controlling possession early. Sophomore Kevin Fitzgerald broke the tie early in the second period as  Jake Percival won a battle against the wall and found fitzgerald who fired it past the Ohio State netminder to extend UConn’s lead to 2-1 and score his first collegiate goal. After a series of exchanges, UConn capitalized again with Tristan Fraser taking the pass from Tabor Heaslip and Percival, and firing it home to give UConn the  3-1 after the second period.

Ohio State began the third period with early pressure, but UConn’s defense held firm with key saves by Muszelik and blocked shots from Percival and others.  Midway through the third  period, Ohio State scored a power-play goal by Riley Thompson cutting the UConn lead to one.  

As the period drew to a close, UConn penalty kill saw the ice as a late holding call forced the Huskies to kill a six on four power play. The defense stood strong, with Muszelik making multipl saves to secure the 3-2 victory .

UConn will wrap up the series with no.16 Ohio State, tomorrow Oct. 18 at Peoplesbank Arena in Hartford. Puck drop is set for 4pm and can be streamed live on ESPN+.