The 17th-ranked University of Massachusetts hockey team's first road game did not put a dent in the Minutemen's perfect start to the season.

UMass scored three unanswered third-period goals and beat Providence 5-3 at Schneider Arena.

"They scored early in the third so you'd think advantage them, but our guys kind took over at that point," UMass coach Don "Toot" Cahoon said. "This was a good effort, a good team win."

After a back-and-forth first two periods, Mark Fayne of the Friars scored a power play goal just under three minutes into the third. That was the first time the Minutemen (4-0, 3-0 Hockey East) had trailed in the third period this year.

Providence (4-2, 0-1 Hockey East) held that lead for over eight minutes until Martin Nolet scored a power play goal with nine minutes left. Brian Keane put UMass ahead 4-3 with a power-play goal 1:21 later.

James Marcou continued his hot start, punctuating the win with an empty-net goal with 35 seconds left. He had an assist earlier in the game.

Casey Wellman and Matt Irwin also each had a goal and an assist.

Three of the Minutemen's goals came on the power play.

UMass goalie Paul Dainton stopped 35 shots.

"He did what you'd want from a junior goaltender," Cahoon said. "He continues to play well."

UMass will host the Friars at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Mullins Center.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.