It was not guaranteed that UConn was going to score on UMass during college hockey overtime but the Huskies had a 2-on-1 opportunity on the fast break. And then the lights went out in the arena.
They did not even get a powerplay advantage!
The result had major implications on the current standings for the upcoming college hockey tournament. A tie looks a lot different than a win.
UConn is right on the bubble for the college hockey tournament.
There is only one week remaining in the regular season. The Huskies currently sit at 17-10-5 with just two games left to play. They rank as the No. 13 team in the country. Only 16 teams make the NCAA Tournament including various conference champions.
As things currently stand, UConn is projected to get in as the last at-large team in the field. The bracket would probably look something like this if the season was to end today:
- Michigan State
- Michigan
- North Dakota
- Western Michigan
- Penn State
- Providence
- Quinnipiac
- Minnesota Duluth
- Denver
- Cornell
- Dartmouth
- Boston College
- Wisconsin
- Connecticut
- Augustana
- Bentley
All of this goes to say that every win matters. The Huskies need to finish strong with wins against Providence and New Hampshire. They probably get in if they go 1-1. 1-0-1 would be better. 2-0 is best.
Everything is up in the air and it’s going to be close, which only makes what happened against UMass even worse. A win would’ve been nice.
UMass turned off the lights!
The Minutemen currently rank as the No. 19 team in college hockey. They hosted the Huskies for a two-game series on Friday and Saturday.
UMass defeated UConn by a score of 5-1 in the first game. The second game finished in a 3-3 tie. UMass ultimately received the extra point after a seven-round shootout.
However, the Huskies were robbed of an opportunity. Rather, two opportunities.
Tyler Muszelik made a very obvious safe on the Minutemen during overtime but the UMass employee in charge of the goal celebration thought the puck hit the back of the next. He or she hit the celebration button even though there was not a goal to celebrate. The lights started to flash. It was a party.
Meanwhile, UConn was on a fast break!
The Huskies had a 2-on-1 opportunity on the other end when the lights went out all together. Complete darkness.
Lights go out during UConn-UMass game during Overtime
by u/huskyferretguy1 in hockey
Not only did UConn miss out on a potential goal-scoring opportunity because it could not see, the officials did not call a delay of game penalty. A penalty would’ve resulted in a man advantage for the Huskies in the last 90 seconds of overtime.
Maybe it wouldn’t’ve mattered. But what if it did?! A win would’ve gone a long way.