University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
4-3-1, 2-1-0
Merrimack
3-3-0, 2-2-0
Huskies Score 4 in the 3rd Period to Take Down Merrimack
11/1/2025 8:59:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
STORRS, Conn. — UConn men's hockey secured their second Hockey East win of the season after defeating Merrimack by a final of 5-1 Saturday night. The Huskies scored four goals in the third period including two from Mike Murtagh while Tyler Muszelik made 20 saves.
The first period began with a quick strike from UConn, as Jake Richard scored 48 seconds into the start of the game. Following a UConn penalty late in the period, Merrimack responded after a puck took a deflection and finding the stick of Caden Cranston who was wide open for the game tying goal. Neither team was able to find the back of the net again in the first period as they entered the break tied at one.
The Huskies came out firing in the second period, but Merrimack's Max Lundgren denied the Huskies, holding them to just one goal. The Huskies best chance of the period came when senior Jake Percival fired a shot that rang off the post. The Huskies defense shined in the second period as they held Merrimack to just three shots on goal. Despite stellar defense and firing 14 shots on goal in the period, the Huskies were unable to take the lead as they entered the break still tied at one.
In the third period, the Huskies once again came out firing. The persistence paid off as Mike Murtagh was in the right place at the right time in front of the net, to collect a rebound and fire it home to give UConn the 2-1 lead. With the one goal lead, the Huskies defense and netminder Tyler Muszelik shined as they continued to hold the Merrimack offense to just one goal. Late in the period, Merrimack pulled their goalie in favor of an extra skater, but the Huskies defense were able to clear the puck and Ethan Gardula was left alone to score the empty net goal giving UConn the 3-1 lead. On the ensuing faceoff, Merrimack still had their goalie pulled, and the Huskies capitalized as Mike Murtagh was able to take a feed from Joey Muldowney and fire it home for his second of the night to give UConn the 4-1 lead. With under one minute to play, the Huskies were awarded a power play following a kneeing penalty. The Huskies special teams caught Merrimack off guard as a shot from Alexandre Blais snuck through from the point securing the 5-1 win.
UP NEXT: The Huskies will turn their attention to a home and home series with Providence College. The Huskies will host Providence November 7 at 7pm in Storrs.
