After falling to Cornell in a shootout on Friday night, the UMass hockey team returned to the ice on Saturday against Clarkson in its second game of the Adirondack Winter Invitational in Lake Placid, N.Y.
The Minutemen held a 3-1 lead over halfway into the second period, but surrendered two goals over the final six minutes to enter the third period knotted up at three. The team’s traded one more goal each before heading to overtime, UMass’ second OT contest in a row. And although the Cornell loss occurred in a shootout, the Minutemen suffered another heartbreaking non-regulation defeat on Saturday, losing 5-4 to the Golden Knights to drop to 11-4-2 this season.
Saturday’s loss specifically hurts given the squandered two-goal lead.
Michael Cameron got the scoring started for UMass less than five minutes into the game, with Sebastian Törnqvist and Lucas Mercuri picking up assists. The Minutemen regained a one-goal advantage in the second, as Kenny Connors found the back of the net off passes from Taylor Makar and Aydar Suniev to make it 2-1.
Cole O’Hara added to UMass’ lead later on in the frame, picking up a power-play goal off an assist from Owen Murray. Then Clarkson stormed back to tie it.
Anthony Romano gave the Golden Knights a 4-3 lead just 42 seconds into the third period, taking a pass from Ryan Richardson and racing up the ice for a short-handed goal. Minutemen defenseman Linden Alger tied it at four apiece eight minutes later. Suniev and Liam Gorman notched assists.
Ryan Taylor scored the unassisted game-winning goal for Clarkson in overtime.
UMass (11-4-2) returns to the Mullins Center for its next game on Friday, a 7 p.m. Hockey East bout with UConn.