University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
2-2-1, 1-0-0HEA
Merrimack
1-6-0, 0-2-0HEA
Huskies Top Merrimack, 3-2, for Hockey East Opening Win
11/1/2019 10:03:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Sophomore Jachym Kondelik (Budejovice, Czech Republic) scored twice and classmate Tomas Vomacka (Trutnov, Czech Republic) turned in 36 saves as the UConn Huskies posted a 3-2 win on the road at Merrimack Friday night in their Hockey East opener.
The win was the Huskies' first at Merrimack's Lawler Rink since the 2012-13 season as they grab their first two league points on the year. For Kondelik, it was his first career multi-goal game as he collected his third and fourth goals of the season.
The Warriors (1-6-0, 0-2-0 HEA) took a 1-0 lead in the first period on freshman Liam Walsh's first career goal. The Huskies (2-2-1, 1-0-0 HEA) dominated the second period, putting three goals on the scoreboard to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. Kondelik's two goals were sandwiched around the first goal of the season for sophomore Jonny Evans (North Delta, British Columbia).
Vomacka was brilliant all night, stopping 17 shots in the first period, nine in the second and 12 in the third to keep Merrimack at bay. The Huskies were outshot on the night, 38-18. Merrimack was 1-for-3 on the power play while the Huskies came up empty in their only power play chance.
Post game reaction:
— UConn Men's Hockey (@UConnMHOC) November 2, 2019
Jachym Kondelik on his two goal night and the Huskies 3-2 win#IceBus pic.twitter.com/CpjMssehpi
1st Period:
Merrimack was all over the Huskies early and put 17 shots on Vomacka in total during the first 20 minutes. The Warriors got the game's first goal at the 6:07 mark. Senior Tyer Irvine carried the puck up the right wing and centered to an oncoming Walsh. Vomacka made the initial save but Walsh poked home the rebound right in front for his first collegiate goal and a 1-0 lead.
2nd Period:
UConn scored three times in the second, two from Kondelik, on the way to a 3-2 lead into the final intermission. Kondelik tied the game at 1-1 with a shorthanded goal at 2:03. Sophomore Kale Howarth (Red Deer, Alberta) chipped the puck into the neutral zone and Kondelik tracked it down and broke free for a break-away chance. The sophomore buried it low and stick side.
Merrimack answered right back with a power play goal at 3:36 as Sami Tavernier sent a cross ice pass to Drevitch in the right circle who buried the one-timer chance for a 2-1 lead.
The Huskies used two quick goals late in the period to jump in front for the first time as Evans made it 2-2 at 14:38. Evans won a battle for the puck in the Merrimaack zone and made a nifty move to get to the right post. He stuffed a shot in on Huhtamaa who looked like he made the stop but the puck snuck under his pad for Evans' first on the season.
Just 29 seconds later the Huskies grabbed the lead on Kondelik's second of the night. Senior Alexander Payusov (Montreal, Quebec) fed freshman Vladislav Firstov (Yaroslavl, Russia) through the neutral zone and he set up Kondelik coming up the left wing. Kondelik beat Huhtamaa to the far post for his second and a 3-2 lead at 15:07.
3rd Period:
Merrimack kept the heat on UConn in the third, putting 12 shots on goal to just one for the Huskies. Vomacka and the UConn defense was up to the task, keeping the Warriors off the scoreboard to get out of town with a 3-2 win.
Post game reaction:
— UConn Men's Hockey (@UConnMHOC) November 2, 2019
Coach Cav on a #HEA opening win at Merrimack#IceBus pic.twitter.com/rM0RNFkRzo
Up Next:
UConn and Merrimack will wrap up their weekend Hockey East series on Sunday afternoon from the XL Center as the Huskies go for a series sweep. Opening face-off is scheduled for 2:05 pm.
