UMass Preview

In their last game before the Beanpot, BU will travel to UMass and take on the Minutemen at the Mullins Center. BU won the series' first two games this year by scores of 5-2 and 3-2.

BU will have an unusual lineup out on the ice tonight. Ryan Ruikka will be a fourth line wing with Ryan Santana and Mike Moran. In addition, the Terriers will have Evan Rodrigues back in the lineup after he suffered a hand injury in last Friday's game vs Providence. Sean Maguire will be in net.

From the Vault
Rocco Carzo scores on a penalty shot, beating Matt O'Conor
in a late October tilt.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Scouting the Minutemen.
UMass comes into tonight's match-up holding a 9-12-2 record, but have won two of their last three including a surprising rout of Boston College two weeks ago. UMass has been a different team following the holiday break. They won the Ledyard Bank Classic with wins over Bemidji State and Dartmouth. After getting swept by Providence in two close games, UMass toped BU as mentioned before 5-2 at Conte Forum.

Junior Brandon Gracel has a solid lead points wise on the team. In 23 games played, the Calgary native has found the back of the net 11 times while adding 11 assists for 22 points. Behind him is Conor Sheary, who through 23 games has posted a scoring line of 5-12-17. Rocco Carzo, Mike Pereira, and Conor Allen all have 14 points on the year in23 games.

In goal, Kevin Boyle and Steve Mastalerz have split time. Boyle has carried the bulk of the load, appearing in 16 games with a 7-7-2 record. In those 16 games, Boyle has a .900 save percentage and a 2.60 goals against average. Mastslerz on the other hand has a 2-4-0 record with 7 appearances to go along with a .868 save percentage and a 3.42 goals against.