UMass hockey: Cornell scores 3 in the third period to defeat the Minutemen, 4-2, in Desert Hockey Classic

UMass forward Michael Cameron (27) gets past AIC defender Matt Rickard (6) for a breakaway goal last season at the Mullins Center in Amherst. STAFF FILE PHOTO
Published: 01-03-2025 8:26 PM |
It was a third period to forget for the UMass hockey team on Friday.
Taking on Cornell in the Desert Hockey Classic, the Minutemen held a 2-1 lead going into the third period after Michael Cameron scored with 16 seconds to play in the middle frame.
That momentum didn’t carry over to the third period however, as the Big Red potted three goals in the final 20 minutes of action to pull away with a 4-2 victory at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz.
UMass will play either Arizona State or Robert Morris in the consolation game on Saturday.
Tim Rego tied things up 2-2 6:52 into the third off an assist from Ben Robertson. With 7:42 to go, Dalton Bancroft put Cornell ahead off assists from Ondrej Psenicka and Hoyt Stanley.
With the UMass net empty, Kyler Kovich put it away with seven seconds to play to seal the 4-2 win for the Big Red.
Larry Keenan opened the scoring, blasting home a one-timer that was sent over by fellow defenseman Francesco Dell’Elce that gave UMass a 1-0 lead with 32 seconds to play in the first period.
Cornell answered with 3:42 to play in the second period, as Ryan Walsh stole the puck in the Minutemen end and sniped a shot from the right circle that knotted things at one.
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The tie didn’t last long. UMass went on the power play in the waning minutes of the second period, with Dell’Elce firing a shot on goal that was stopped. Cameron was on the spot to scoop up the rebound and knock it home, giving the Minutemen a 2-1 lead with 16 seconds to go in the frame. Ryan Lautenbach was also credited with an assist on the play.
Jackson Irving finished with 31 saves for the Minutemen while Ian Shane made 22 saves for the Big Red.