University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
15-7-3
Quinnipiac
19-5-2
Huskies Score 3 in 3rd Period, Defeat Bobcats for Back-To-Back CT Ice Championship
1/25/2026 12:05:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — UConn men's hockey defeated no.6 Quinnipiac by a final of 4–2 to secure the CT Ice Championship for the second straight year. The Huskies scored three goals in the third period including the game winner by Connecticut native Jake Percival to secure the win.
The first period began with both teams playing physical hockey. The Huskies special teams were tested early as a cross-checking penalty on the Bobcats gave UConn the early power play. Despite the man advantage, the Huskies were unable to find the back of the net as the Bobcats successfully killed the penalty. The Huskies had a chance to break open the scoring as Ryan Tattle was left alone in the slot, but his shot rang off the cross bar and out keeping the game scoreless. Later in the first period following a penalty on the Huskies, UConn's penalty kill went to work. On the ensuing faceoff, the Huskies won the faceoff, and senior Tabor Heaslip was there to intercept a deflected pass and, on the breakaway, scored the short-handed goal giving UConn the 1-0 lead. With the one goal lead, the Huskies defense and senior goaltender Tyler Muszelik shined, holding the no.6 team in the nation scoreless heading into the second period.
The Huskies carried the momentum gained from the first period into the second period as they were able to control the puck early looking to extend their lead. After weathering the early UConn attack, Quinnipiac's offense went to work and their strong forecheck paid off as they were able to intercept the UConn clear attempt and found the back of the net on a deflected shot. Shortly after Quinnipiac added another goal to take the 2-1 lead early in the second period. With the one goal lead, the Bobcats defense shut the Huskies down. With just under 1 second left in the second period, an interference penalty on the Bobcats gave the Huskies the man advantage to start the third period.
Despite having the man advantage to start the third, the Huskies power play was unable to generate momentum as the Quinnipiac penalty kill held their own to maintain the one goal lead. Shortly after the power play expired, the Huskies forecheck went to work. The persistent pressure paid off as freshman Alexandre Blais won a battle at the blue line and after winning the puck, found fellow freshman Carlin Dezainde for the tip in goal and the game tying goal. Late in the period the Huskies finally broke through. The Huskies strong forecheck forced another turnover where Tristan Fraser collected the loose puck, firing a shot on goal that was saved but fellow senior Jake Percival crashed the net, collecting the rebound and finding the back of the net for the game winning goal. With just under two minutes remaining in the game, Quinnipiac pulled their goaltender in favor of an extra skater, but the Huskies secured the win as Joey Muldowney scored the empty net goal. Senior Tyler Muszelik made 28 saves in the victory, helping secure back-to-back CT Ice Championships for the Huskies.
