The Minutemen pulled off an incredible comeback late in the third period before bowing.
NORTH ANDOVER – In its race that was supposed to go down to the wire for the eighth and final Hockey East playoff spot, the University of Massachusetts exited a day early, albeit reluctantly.
As a result of the combination of the Minutemen’s 4-3 heartbreaking overtime loss to Merrimack Friday night, and Maine’s 4-3 victory over New Hampshire, UMass was eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since the 2001-02 season.
The Minutemen (11-19-3, 8-16-2) were trailing Maine by one point for eighth place entering the night, and were hoping to survive and squeak in with a win in Saturday night’s regular season finale at home against Merrimack. But now down three points, they are mathematically eliminated.
Rocco Carzo completed a remarkable late third period comeback for UMass by scoring with 40 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 3-3. UMass was down 2-0, and 3-1 late, and scored all three goals after pulling goaltender Steve Mastalerz for the extra attacker.
But Connor Toomey, on a deflection of a shot by Brendan Ellis, scored with 3:15 left in overtime to give Merrimack the win. A tie would have enabled UMass to last another day.
UMass completes its regular season Saturday night at home to Merrimack.
For the majority of the first period, it was all Warriors as they registered 14 of the first 16 shots before the Minutemen could put together any offense.
The Warriors recorded the only score of the period while outshooting UMass 19-10.
Junior defenseman and captain Jordan Heywood put in his own rebound at the post to the right of Mastalerz at 11:53.
Mastalerz made the first save, quickly covering his corner, but no defender picked up the rebound, and Mastalerz, who appeared a bit off balance from the first save, had little chance on the right-handed blast from about 10 feet out.
UMass senior forward Eddie Olczyk had to be helped off the ice late in the period, and appeared to be favoring his right shoulder. He was later seen in street clothes.
The Minutemen came out aggressively in the second period, and dominated territorial play 18-5, but were unable to get anything past Merrimack goaltender Sam Marotta.
Marotta made two big saves off winger Patrick on two different UMass power plays. The first one came off a rebound of a shot by Branden Gracel, the second on a forehand drive from the slot.
With Maine leading UNH 1-0 after two periods, the Minutemen were a period away from being ousted from the playoffs if nothing changed.
Again, they came out hard, but John Guftasson scored off a rebound to make it 2-0 at 5:56. And with Maine now up 2-0, the Minutemen, who may have been aware of the out of town score, had to pull out all the stops.
UMass, realizing its situation and on the power play, pulled Mastalerz for the extra man with 5:29 to play.
It worked with Shane Walsh scoring on a rebound off the post with 4:01 remaining to make it 2-1.
But with Mastalerz back in net, Merrimack's Mike Collins converted a 2 on 1 to gain back the two-goal lead..
UMass didn't quit, and Conor Sheary came right back to score with 2:37 to play, and it was 3-2.
And with 40 seconds to play in regulation, Carzo tied it.
UP TO THE MINUTE – The Minutemen were without the services of second-leading scorer Michael Pereira who was boarded at the 4:51 of the first period in the second game at UNH last weekend. Pereira suffered a head injury. He has 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points, and a plus-5. Kevin Czepiel was inserted on the first line with Gracel and Sheary. …Former UMass coach Toot Cahoon, slimmed down and looking like he was having the time of his life, was doing the color for Merrimack TV. Former UMass ssistant Blaise MacDonald, now the Colby head coach, was also on hand, and came up to the front of the press box to greet Cahoon before the game.