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University of Massachusets Athletics
Friday, October 31
Amherst, Mass.
7 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
2
vs
1
#20 Cornell
#13 Massachusetts Hockey Plays #20 Cornell To A 2-1 Thriller On Halloween Night
October 31, 2025 | Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. – Freshman Václav Nestrašil scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season with less than two minutes to play in the third period to help No. 13 Massachusetts hockey to a 2-1 win over No. 20 Cornell on Friday night at the Mullins Center. With the victory, the Minutemen move to 6-2-0 on the year, while the Big Red start the season at 0-1-0.
"It was the game that I expected," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "When you play Cornell, they play a very sound game, good defensive game. We needed to match it. Thought we did pretty well tonight, but the difference, obviously, was special teams. I thought both sides were exceptional and the difference in the game."
UMass opened the scoring on the power play, with freshman Lukas Klecka putting back a rebound from sophomore Larry Keenan at the post at the 1:43 mark. Junior Nick VanTassell earned an assist on the play.
The Big Red managed to tie things up before the first intermission. Gio DiGiulian tipped home a shot from Michael Fisher at the point after he collected a D-to-D pass from Jack O'Brien, 13:40 into the frame.
The teams remained in a stalemate for the next 44 minutes and 21 seconds with offensive chances at a premium. Most notably at the midpoint of the second period, junior Jack Musa had the chance to finish off a 2-on-1 opportunity at the doorstep but was denied by Cornell netminder Remington Keopple.
With 17 minutes to play in the third period, the Big Red came down the ice on a 3-on-1, but Hrabal made the save, one of his 27 on the night.
Musa drew a hooking call on Cornell's George Fegaras at the 18:09 mark of the third, sending UMass to the power play for just the second time in the contest. The Minutemen then made quick work of the opportunity as Nestrasil redirected in a Daniel Jencko shot at the top of the crease for the game-winner at 18:21. Sophomore Francesco Dell'Elce earned the secondary helper for his fifth assist of the season.
The Big Red out-shot UMass, 28-16 on the evening, but the Minutemen won the special teams' battle, going 2-for-2 with the man advantage and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
The teams will be back in action for the final game of the weekend series tomorrow night, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m.
"It was the game that I expected," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "When you play Cornell, they play a very sound game, good defensive game. We needed to match it. Thought we did pretty well tonight, but the difference, obviously, was special teams. I thought both sides were exceptional and the difference in the game."
UMass opened the scoring on the power play, with freshman Lukas Klecka putting back a rebound from sophomore Larry Keenan at the post at the 1:43 mark. Junior Nick VanTassell earned an assist on the play.
The Big Red managed to tie things up before the first intermission. Gio DiGiulian tipped home a shot from Michael Fisher at the point after he collected a D-to-D pass from Jack O'Brien, 13:40 into the frame.
The teams remained in a stalemate for the next 44 minutes and 21 seconds with offensive chances at a premium. Most notably at the midpoint of the second period, junior Jack Musa had the chance to finish off a 2-on-1 opportunity at the doorstep but was denied by Cornell netminder Remington Keopple.
With 17 minutes to play in the third period, the Big Red came down the ice on a 3-on-1, but Hrabal made the save, one of his 27 on the night.
Musa drew a hooking call on Cornell's George Fegaras at the 18:09 mark of the third, sending UMass to the power play for just the second time in the contest. The Minutemen then made quick work of the opportunity as Nestrasil redirected in a Daniel Jencko shot at the top of the crease for the game-winner at 18:21. Sophomore Francesco Dell'Elce earned the secondary helper for his fifth assist of the season.
The Big Red out-shot UMass, 28-16 on the evening, but the Minutemen won the special teams' battle, going 2-for-2 with the man advantage and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
The teams will be back in action for the final game of the weekend series tomorrow night, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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