MILTON, Mass.- In a non-conference match-up in men's ice hockey action on Sunday evening at the Max Ulin Rink, Curry College lost to UMass Boston, 6-4. With the loss, the Colonels fall to 0-2 on the season. The Beacons improved to 2-0 overall.
The teams matched each other in shots in the first period with 13 apiece. UMB was the first to get on the board at the 7:56 minute mark. Junior Peter MacIntyre (Norfolk, Mass.) took a slap shot just over the blueline that sailed over the shoulder of Curry's senior goaltender Derek Mohney (Amherst, N.Y.). MacIntyre was assisted by sophomore Tyler Bishop (Ramsey, N.J.) and freshman Colin Larkin (Waterford, Mich.). The Colonels were quick to answer back as they tied the score at one just 44 seconds later. Senior Jordan Reed (Ajax, Ontario) earned his first tally of the season after collecting a loose puck in front of net and one-timing it past the Beacon's junior netminder Billy Faust (Alta Loma, Calif.). Freshmen Ryan Fitzgerald (Cary, N.C.) and Jarrett Kup (Rosseau, Ontario) were credited with the assists. The Colonels took a 2-1 advantage heading into the first intermission when freshman Adam Valadao (Ajax, Ontario) netted his first of two on the night. Reed sent Fitzgerald a pass who found an open Valadao for the score.
UMB came out strong to start the second stanza netting three goals in the 20 minute span. Two of the goals were in the opening three minutes. The first came with only 1:18 off the clock. The Beacon's earned the face-off win and had the puck in the Colonel's defensive end when senior Dan Cornell (Abington, Mass.) made a quick pass to junior Frankie DeAugustine (Pittsburg, Pa.) to tie the game. The go-ahead tally was scored by junior Kit Sitterley (Mooresville, N.C.) who skated around the crease and tucked the puck low into the back corner of the net. Sitterley was assisted by freshman Josh Haverstrom (Coral Springs, Fla.). UMB extended the lead to 4-2 midway through when junior Mike Miller (Wrentham, Mass.) ripped a shot from the corner of the ice after receiving a pass from sophomore Albee Daley (Averill Park, N.Y.). Valadao earned his second of the game at the 16:03 mark and cut the Beacon's lead to one before the teams headed back into the locker room. Reed was credited with his second assist while Fitzgerald earned his second.
UMB took control of the final period with a demanding 13-4 advantage in shots. The Beacon's game-winning goal came at 4:19. Senior Mike Kuhn (Holbrook, Mas.) netted his first of the night when he collected the puck off a rebound and slide it past Mohney. Kuhn was assisted by classmate Stephen Buco (North Providence, R.I.). Curry once again cut the lead back to one with 3:16 remaining to play. Sophomore Jake Heisinger (Winnipeg, Manitoba) was awarded his first goal on the season after he one-timed the puck past the glove of Faust. Kup got his second assist while sophomore Dan McGinnis (Hanover, Mass.) was credited with his first. With 48 seconds left the Colonels had a 6-4 man-up situation looking to tie the game at five. Curry pulled Mohney shortly after the Beacon's Bishop was called for a two minute penalty. The Colonels battled with the puck in UMB's defensive zone but at 19:31 junior Connor McStravick (Philadelphia, Pa.) tallied his teams sixth on an unassisted short-handed empty net goal for the win.
Both teams went 0-4 on power plays. The Colonels finished with 28 shots while the Beacons had 40.
Curry's Mohney made 34 saves in net in the loss. Faust came up with 24 stops for UMB for the win.
Curry's next game is at home against Westfield State on Thursday, November 6 at 6:40 p.m. UMB travels to New England College on Friday, November 7 for a 7:30 p.m. game start.
