UMass hockey: Cole O’Hara, Minutemen lock down Maine for vital 5-1 victory

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) smiles after scoring a goal during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II
Published: 03-07-2025 10:39 PM |
Two goals from Cole O’Hara led the No. 16 UMass hockey team to a 5-1 win against No. 5 Maine on Friday at the Mullins Center.
O’Hara scored the Minutemen’s first and last goals of the night, increasing his goal total to 21 and his point streak to 13 straight games, as UMass improved to 19-12-2.
The victory bumped the Minutemen into a tie for fifth-place in the Hockey East standings with Providence, and more importantly, ninth in the Pairwise ratings.
O’Hara scored 2 minutes, 52 seconds into the game against the Black Bears (21-7-5), counting as the first of three UMass markers in the opening 20 minutes.
Kenny Connors doubled the Minutemen’s lead to 2-0 with a power play strike at 7:09 of the first, then Jack Musa made it 3-0 with less than a minute to go in frame.
Jack’s older brother Joey Musa netted his first of the season during the second period, pushing UMass’ advantage to 4-0.
Maine scored its only goal of the game during the third period with a tally from Charlie Russell, before O’Hara grabbed his second of the night, while the Minutemen were shorthanded, to bring it to a 5-1 final.
Michael Hrabal won the goaltending battle as the UMass tender recorded 38 saves. Black Bears goalie Albin Boija had a rare off night, surrendering all five goals with 26 saves.
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These two teams will finish up the regular season slate on Saturday night at Mullins, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m.