Feb. 13, 2012

AMHERST, Mass. - Michael Pereira was at the forefront of the pack for UMass hockey this weekend with four goals and one assist for a total of five points. The sophomore forward was named the Hockey East Player of the Week on Monday as announced by the league office for his multi-point performances at Boston University on Friday and against Providence on Saturday.

On Friday, Pereira delivered the game-winning goal in the 3-2 victory over then No. 1 Boston University at Agganis Arena. The win marks the first against a No. 1 ranked opponent on the road in program history. The West Haven, Conn. native ended the night with a goal and an assist.

Pereira continued to excel on Saturday by collecting his second hat-trick of the season, marking the first Minuteman to recorded two or more three-goal performances in a single season since 1993-94 when four different Minutemen did so in the program's return to Division I collegiate hockey. The Mass Attack was unable to breakthrough Providence, falling 5-4 in a hard fought battle.

Pereira now leads UMass in goals with 15 and is tied for second in points with 28. He is also sixth in Hockey East scoring.

The Minutemen get back to fighting for playoff positioning this Friday and Saturday with a two-game trip to Orono, Maine to face the Black Bears.