AMHERST — The Greg Carvel era opened to good reviews for the UMass hockey program.
The Minutemen had plenty to like in their first game under their new coach as they dominated Colorado College, 3-0, Friday at the Mullins Center.
“I liked the way we played tonight,” Carvel said. “I’m proud of my guys. They played the way we asked them to.”
On Tuesday, Carvel said he was hoping one of his goalies would play well enough to emerge as a candidate to be the workhorse at the position. Ryan Wischow made his case in his debut. Leading the team onto the ice before pregame introductions, he stumbled and fell. That was the only time he faltered Friday night. The Green Bay, Wisconsin, native made 12 saves in a busy first period and finished with 31 in the game.
“I got rid of my butterflies when I diggered going out onto the ice. Not exactly how I envisioned my career starting, but after that I thought it can’t get any worse than this,” he said chuckling. “The boys played well in front of me and made it pretty easy there.”
Carvel said he entrusts goalie decisions to assistant coach Jared DeMichel, who tabbed the rookie and UMass was rewarded for it.
“He looked pretty damn good,” Carvel said. “He hasn’t been very good in practice. He was really good tonight. I was hoping he was a gamer.”
With 8 minutes, 57 seconds left in the second period, Jonny Lazarus scored the first goal of the game, the season and his collegiate career. With the Minutemen on the power play, the Tigers overcommitted to the left side of their own zone leaving the freshman forward with room at the right wing faceoff circle. From the left wing boards, Dominic Trento threaded a pass through traffic and Lazarus drilled it by goalie Alex Leclerc (15 saves) to make it 1-0.
“A lot of kids dream of playing college hockey growing up,” said Lazarus, who got the puck as a memento. “I just can believe that it happened tonight. It’s crazy. It’s awesome.”
Anthony Petrella doubled the lead early in the second. The rebound of Carmine Buono’s shot pinballed off of two skates to Petrella crashing on the right wing. The junior tucked the puck in behind a screened Leclerc, 2:08 into the third quarter.
William Lagesson tacked on an insurance goal with 12:25 left to close out the scoring.
As is often the case in October games, the referees were active and UMass’ penalty killing unit highlighted a night filled with whistles.
UMass killed nine power plays in the game that included 20 penalties.
“It’s tough to manage the bench because we have a lot of guys who play power play and PK. A lot of (other) guys got short-changed on ice time,” said Carvel, who isn’t a fan of the directive across the sport to call games tighter. “I understand what they’re trying to do, but I think it ruins the game. The most minimal play becomes a penalty. I think they take it too far.”
Including Wischow and Lazarus, seven freshmen made their debuts for UMass. Jack Suter and Niko Hildenbrand played on the third line and Griff Jeszka, who won eight of 13 faceoffs, centered the fourth line.
Highly touted rookie defenseman Shane Bear was on the top blue-line pairing with Lagesson. Bear saw action on both special teams units. Jake McLaughlin played on the second defense pairing with Ivan Chukarov.
It was the Minutemen’s second straight season opening with a win over Colorado College, but Trento said this one felt different.
“It’s a different atmosphere in the room,” he said. “You like to see that. It’s a big win for us.”
The teams play against at 7 p.m. Saturday.