University of Connecticut Athletics
Men's Hockey Unloads On Ryerson, 7-4
10/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 1, 2011
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn men's hockey team competed in its lone exhibition contest of the season tonight at Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum, defeating Ryerson, 7-4. Senior Marcello Ranallo, junior Miles Winter and freshman Ryan Tyson each put home two goals tonight.
Ryerson competes in the Canadian Interuniversity league and consists of players entering the University system at an older age, generally 20 or 21 years old.
UConn went down early at 2:12 but rallied back to end the period with a 2-1 lead. It looked like UConn would take the early lead but Miles Winter was robbed in front on a shot up high with a terrific glove save from Ryerson starting netminder Troy Passingham.
Ryerson's Greg Payne finished from up close on the power play to make it 1-0 at 2:12 but UConn was able to respond with a goal from Ranallo at 8:18. Ranallo buried a shot from the right side with assists going to sophomore Jordan Sims and Winter.
The Huskies took the lead for the first time at 17:15 with Winter finishing from the right doorstep. Sims sent a puck towards net that bounced off a Ryerson defender. Winter picked up the loose puck on the right side to put UConn up, 2-1.
UConn held a 16-9 edge in shots on goal after the opening 20 minutes.
UConn added another pair of goals to make it 4-1 in the second period. Winter netted his second of the game from the left face-off circle 13:27. Freshman Ryan Tyson extended the lead to 4-1 after picking up a loose puck following a blocked shot from sophomore Billy Latta at 16:09.
With 10 seconds remaining, two Ryerson skaters came in with a free route towards UConn junior goaltender Garrett Bartus from the red line. Ryerson forward Kelly Geoffrey went stick side, but Bartus shut the door to keep the Huskies ahead, 4-1.
The third period saw five total penalties and six goals. Connecticut netted two power-play goals and a shorthanded tally from Ranallo to finish off Ryerson.
Billy Latta put home a power-play goal at 5:35 to make it five-1. UConn and Ryerson exchanged goals throughout the period with Ranallo making it 6-2 with his shorthanded goal at 8:18 and Tyson adding a power-play goal at 18:25. Ryerson put in a shorthanded goal with only 18 seconds left, but it was too little, too late.
Connecticut finished with a 32-30 edge in shots. Bartus recorded 16 saves while freshman Tom Comunale added 10 stops.
UConn will open the regular season with five-straight road games beginning on Friday, October 7 at Bowling Green. UConn will host the first regular season game on Thursday, October 27 against AHA foe Holy Cross at 7:05 p.m.