UMass Hockey’s power play units find success against Army West Point – Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Against Army West Point on Friday afternoon, the Massachusetts hockey team’s power play units stepped up to extend its lead and outlast the Black Knights (5-9, 5-6 Atlantic Hockey America) with a 3-1 win.

After a nearly scoreless second period with less than five minutes left, the Minutemen (7-6-2, 1-4-2 Hockey East) scored two goals and led 3-0.

“I thought both units did a really good job,” head coach Greg Carvel said. “Move the puck quickly.”

In his unit, young striker Cole O’Hara scored his seventh goal of the season. Less than 20 seconds after UMass’ third power play, O’Hara remained steady in the circle to the right of goaltender Evan Szary.

Sophomore Aydar Suniev fought the boards with the Black Knights to keep the puck in the attacking zone. Suniev sent the puck over the net without any intervention from Army, leaving O’Hara without a defender and no chance to control the puck and get a solid shot into the net. The puck flew past Szary’s right shoulder, hit the post and scored a Minuteman goal. Jack Musa scored the second assist.

“I thought we put ourselves in a situation a couple of times where we were exposed,” Army head coach Brian Riley said. “Their skills (that’s what) really came to life when they had the man.”

Daniel Jenčko made the most of his return to the ice after recovering from a wrist injury earlier in the season.

With 24 seconds left in the period and the Minutemen looking to capitalize on another power play nearly two minutes into their third period, the rookie scored against O’Hara.

Francesco Dell’Elce collected the puck just in front of the blue line and sent it to Lucas Lucas Ölvestad. Jenčko stood at the tip to Szary’s left, waiting for the junior defenseman to send the puck down the ice. Jenčko swung the puck as it reached his stick and watched it swirl around the net. The buzzer sounded UMass’s third goal, tripling its lead over the Black Knights.

“(Jenčko) is a big threat on a power play,” Dell’Elce said. “It’s great to have him back. Obviously he scored today so hopefully we can continue to work on getting some reps with him and continue to have success.”

However, the power play success did not spark right from the start. On their first power play of the first period, the Minutemen struggled to find consistency between the two top units.

Jenčko, Dell’Elce and Olvestad, as well as assistant captains Lucas Mercuri and Ryan Lautenbach, continued to be pushed out of Army’s offensive zone. Shuffles continued to occur, forcing them to play between the blue lines until their next shift, and frustration was simmering for the Minutemen as the first period remained scoreless until Dell’Elce with less than two minutes left in the first scored goal.

As they switched gears and entered the second period with a 1-0 morale boost, both O’Hara’s and Jenčko’s units took more control of the puck and created good offensive chances that fell just short of the goal.

From the circle to Svary’s right, O’Hara attempted to double UMass’ lead early in the second period. However, the puck bounced off the post and was unable to break through Szary for a goal.

Once the second unit reached the ice, it found a better rhythm as Dell’Elce, Jenčko and Olvestad tried to establish a good passing rhythm between them. With Mercuri and Lautenbach at the center of the chaos waiting to find a last-second shot or rebound opportunity, the five players easily passed the puck around each other but remained scoreless after two minutes.

“I told both units to have more of a rifleman’s mentality,” Carvel said. “Just go out there and shoot the puck instead of passing it around.”

The Minutemen travel to Boston on December 7 to face the No. 13 Boston University Terriers. Puck drop at Agganis Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.

“Those two guys (O’Hara and Jenčko) had very good shots,” Carvel said. “Those were great shots to beat the goalie.”

Sydney Ciano can be reached at (email protected) and followed on Twitter/X @SydneyCiano.