The Mullins Center played host to a fantastic opening contest between the Massachusetts Minutemen and the AIC Yellow Jackets that saw the Minutemen win 5-3. UMass looked dangerous throughout the game, but also looked vulnerable. AIC let off 39 shots which is a number that the Minutemen would like to cut down especially against the likes of Michigan.

Midway through the first period, forward Ryan Lautenbach opened the scoring for the Minutemen after forward Taylor Makar slid the puck across the slot, Lautenbach was there for the easy tap-in. 

Towards the end of the first period, Brown transfer Samuli Niinisaari scrapped for a loose puck which he stuck past AIC goaltender Nils Wallstrom who had bobbled the puck into a dangerous situation after a Scott Morrow wrister from just past the blue line. UMass took the 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Yellow Jackets would respond early on in the second after a Brian Kramer deke faked out Massachusetts goaltender Cole Brady, Kramer placed it in the unoccupied net which made the game 2-1. 

Freshman forward Jack Musa restored the two goal lead very soon after on the power play, scoring his first ever collegiate goal. “Right place at the right time,” Musa said after being asked about his first goal. 

The Minutemen carried this lead into the second intermission.

Seconds into the third and final period, UMass would extend the lead to 4-1 off of an unassisted goal by forward Micheal Cameron. AIC would rally back, scoring with 7:43 left to stay in the game. Defenseman Brett Callahan deflected the puck past the outstretched glove of Brady. 

The Yellow Jackets continued to put pressure on the Minutemen for the next four minutes, but just as UMass killed the penalty, forward Logan Jenuwine smacked home a one-timer from distance to make the score 4-3 with three minutes left. 

AIC emptied the net in order to make a push for the game tying goal, but UMass captain Ryan Ufko slid the puck across the entire rink and into the empty net to seal the game for the Minutemen.

The Numbers

36. Cole Brady made 36 stops in the season opener, a great start to the season.

8:55. AIC had 8:55 power play minutes, a figure that UMass would like to cut down.

53.3. UMass had a 53 percent faceoff win percentage, an encouraging number.

Previewing Michigan

Michigan is one of the most formidable teams in all of college hockey. This is shown in the trip they made to the Frozen Four last season. However, they split their season opening series against Providence. The Friars took the first game with a comfortable 4-1 win in Ann Arbor. Michigan won the rematch in a tightly contested 5-4 game. UMass will be the underdogs in this competition, coming in with the spread at -1.5/+1.5 in favor of the Wolverines.

The Wolverines have lots of NHL drafted talent including dangerous forwards Frank Nazar, Gavin Brindley and Rutger McGroarty. On defense, Seamus Casey looks to fill the role that Luke Hughes had last season as a high power point scorer from the back. 

Goaltending is questionable as Erik Portillo signed with the Los Angeles Kings. In between the pipes, Jacob Barczewski will look to improve after a disappointing showing against Providence.

Keys to the Game

🔑 Avoid the penalty box. UMass spent too much time in the penalty box against AIC and even though it didn’t kill them, Michigan is a much more lethal team who will punish an undisciplined team.

🔑 Play physical. Michigan has a lot of new pieces, with an underclassman loaded forward core, UMass could throw them off their game by playing physical.

🔑 Bring the noise. The Mullins Center sure knows how to throw off a visiting team, so UMass students and fans should be as loud as they can.