The UMass Boston men’s ice hockey team’s disappointing season continues as the Beacons dropped a pair of contests on the road last weekend, losing 8-0 to Salem State and 2-1 to Southern Maine. UMB’s record currently stands at 2-15.

Gerard Hickey managed to score the only goal for the Beacons over the weekend, potting his second of the year in the first period of the Southern Maine game. The Huskies scored twice in the second period to take the lead and held on for the win. Beacon goaltender stopped 30 shots in the losing effort.

The winter break was not kind to the Beacons. Although the team won against Worcester State in the first round of the 39th annual Codfish Bowl, the Beacons lost in the championship game to Skidmore 4-1. That game was the beginning of the current eight game losing streak.

The team’s play has oscillated between good and poor, losing some bad games (Bowdoin, UMass Dartmouth) but also losing some close, well-played games (Norwich, Southern Maine).

While it is not easy to maintain focus during a losing streak, it becomes even harder when the coaching situation changes abruptly. Second year coach Jack Foley has taken a medical leave of absence for the remainder of the season. Assistant Coach Michael Bertoni will serve as interim coach.

The Beacons will be at home this weekend against Williams College on Friday at 7pm, and then play Middlebury the following day at 3pm.