Men’s hockey players in a mighty tussle.
Usually, jazz is attributed to satisfying the bees, but in this case, Jazz may have just saved the Beacons. UMass Boston’s men’s and women’s hockey teams came out on top in overtime on Saturday, Dec. 2, after coming out of the tunnel on what has been a rockin’ rollercoaster of inconsistency over the past few weeks. Men’s hockey currently sits at a record of 3–8, while women’s hockey has done better, as both teams are amid a long break between games. (1,2)
Ironically enough, both teams were able to come away with massive wins in overtime by the same score, 3–2. Men’s hockey came away with a wild win over Anna Maria College at home (3), while women’s hockey pulled away from Worcester State University (4). Jazz Krivtsov scored the winner for the men’s team with only five seconds left in overtime, giving the Amcats anthrax and killing their hopes of keeping the game a tie in their schedule. Even the Beacons’ broadcasters couldn’t believe it, as the play-by-play announcer for the game had to catch his breath and gather himself before his call of the overtime winner. (5)
Krivtsov scored a legendary goal for the Beacons, given it was a goal that one is not likely to witness again during their time in college. He had the game on his stick, and his goal may have just saved the Beacons’ season after it added a third win to their record with a four-week break between matches. The Beacons had other bright spots too, as they outshot the Amcats 51–31, went 42–67 on faceoffs and had four players account for assists on goals scored by three different players. (3)
Goals were scored by forwards Jacob Banks, Gino Carabelli and, of course, Krivtsov Banks, who deflected a rocket by defenseman Blake Colman and opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game. By the end of the first, the Beacons had a 2–0 advantage over the Amcats with a goal from Carabelli, who was set up for a wide-open shot by Banks and Kolye Bankauskas. In the second period, Sam Best helped keep the Beacons’ lead at two, but it was later erased in the third. (3)
A major penalty committed by Carabelli caused five minutes of shorthanded play for the Beacons, which ultimately caused the Amcats to score two goals and take the game into overtime. Penalties were a thorn in the Beacons’ side all night, committing eight of them over the course of the game, with the final one allowing two goals that kept Anna Maria in the contest. With a 4-on-3 powerplay for the Beacons in the sudden death period, though, Krivtsov took advantage and fired a wrist shot past goalie Cole Johnston to snap the Beacons’ four-game skid. (3)
The Beacons’ offensive showcase was much needed to boost the morale of the team, and will hopefully help them ride the momentum into their four-week break. In a best-case scenario, the Beacons won’t see the wave of momentum crashing down in their next contest and will develop more ways to build off their performance in their time off.
Just like men’s hockey had a 3–2 overtime win, women’s hockey had an overtime win with the same score on the same night, which is coincidental, to say the least. Nonetheless, what is not coincidental is that women’s hockey, despite a recent 6–4 loss to Connecticut College on Dec. 6, was able to get back into the swing of things with a 3–2 win over Worcester State University.
The Beacons saw themselves matchup against the Lancers for the first time ever, and they were able to jump on the Lancers for 17 shots after just one period, and jumped out to a 2–0 lead after two. Forward Hannah MacDougall scored the first goal for the Beacons on the power play, which was also the second power play goal in as many games after starting the season 0–26 (4). MacDougall was assisted by forward Allie Reifler and defender Gabby Shontz. Forward Emily Hansen scored the second goal for UMass Boston just a couple minutes later. Hansen was assisted by forward Liz Kramp and defender Emma Webster.
Worcester State made a comeback to tie the game in the third period, with the second goal scored with just 38 seconds remaining in a 6-on-4 advantage that gave the Beacons an empty net. Cailey Kozich would save the day for the Beacons, though, as she potted the game winner only a minute into overtime to go 1–0 all-time against the Lancers.
Despite the win against Worcester, women’s hockey couldn’t get past Connecticut College, losing 6–4. The Beacons fought hard against the nationally ranked Camels, but three unanswered goals after leading 2–1 caused UMass Boston to fall into a 4–2 hole. Although they were able to cut the lead to 4–3, and later 5–4, the Camels would score an empty netter to seal the game. One of the biggest takeaways of the game is the discipline, or lack thereof, which has been a recurring theme throughout the year. Six penalties will come back to haunt you, and after they let up two power play goals against the Camels, it must be emphasized that going forward, the Beacons must improve on the penalty kill.
1. 2022-23 Men’s Ice Hockey Schedule – UMass Boston (beaconsathletics.com)
2. 2022-23 Women’s Ice Hockey Schedule – UMass Boston (beaconsathletics.com)
3. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Krivtsov! Men’s Ice Hockey Snaps Losing Streak In Overtime Thriller – UMass Boston (beaconsathletics.com)
4. Say It Ain’t Ko(zich)! Women’s Ice Hockey Wins In Overtime Against Worcester State – UMass Boston (beaconsathletics.com)
5. https://youtu.be/Muc1RH0aLoI
6. Women’s Ice Hockey Unable to Get Over Hump Versus Camels – UMass Boston (beaconsathletics.com)