AMHERST – Tyson Dyck pointed across the ice at Cal Kiefiuk. The UMass hockey freshman was credited with the opening goal on the score sheet in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Brown at the Mullins Center, but he recognized the puck wouldn’t have left his stick if not for Kiefiuk’s pass.

“It even goes back to the intermission. (UMass coach Greg Carvel) came in and drew up a play that we executed to perfection,” Dyck said. “It was the realization that Cal made a great play all the way back to Scotty (Scott Morrow) on the zone entry and all the way back to Coach drawing it up.”

Dyck scored two goals in the second period to help the Minutemen win their second straight game. It was his first goal since Nov. 4 at Providence.

“I just found myself in the right place at the right time and was able to finish it off,” Dyck said. “It’s been a while since I scored, so it’s really nice to get on the score sheet a few times.”

After two empty trips, UMass’ nation-leading power play broke the deadlock midway through the second period. UMass coach Greg Carvel summoned the first group off the ice after a disjointed rush, sending a second set of skaters while goalie Luke Pavicich corralled the cleared puck. Morrow entered the zone then whipped a pass to Kiefiuk – playing in his 100th game for No. 15 UMass – at the right circle. He fired the puck just in front of the crease, where Dyck stood firm to redirect it into the net for the opening goal 8 minutes, 23 seconds into period two.

“I give our power play a lot of credit. Every game they do a good job. They get great possession, and they get good looks,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said. “Brown was doing things to take the bumper away, so we’re like ‘OK, let’s shift a little and try to get the puck down to Dickie on the back post.’ Guys executed really well.”

Dyck tipped in his second goal of the night 2½ minutes later almost without knowing. Cole O’Hara fired a shot toward the front of the net that skipped off Dyck’s skate then bounced off his stick past Brown goalie Mathieu Caron to double the lead. Michael Cameron also received an assist for the play.

UMass leaned on its depth with leading scorer Kenny Connors and top defenseman Ryan Ufko at the world junior championships and injuries in its defensive corps.

“You're like, ‘they deserve to be on the team.’ And then you're like, ‘OK, how many games do we have to get by without them,’” Carvel said. “You quickly get through those games and then you realize it was a great opportunity for other guys.”

Dyck narrowly missed a hat trick all in the second period after stealing a Brown breakout pass at the blue line to create a one-on-one chance with Caron. He calmly skated to the net front, transferred the puck to his back hand but sent it high over the net with a minute and a half left in the second.

Morrow sealed the final margin with an empty netter with 29 seconds left to make it 3-0. He lofted the puck high into the air, nearly hitting the video board, and deposited it into the back of the net.

The Minutemen (9-7-3) failed to score on two power play opportunities in the first period. They matched Brown’s seven shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes. The Bears (4-10-2) blocked 10 shots to skew those numbers, though.

“It was a sleepy period, I thought. They didn't have a lot going. We didn't have a lot going,” Brown coach Brendan Whittet said. “I'm sure it wasn't a joy to watch. But that first period was fine for us because again, we're not used to the size of the [ice] sheet and it's a different game playing on the size of the sheet.”

UMass was playing at home for the first time since Dec. 7. The Minutemen still gave up odd man rush opportunities they’ve been trying to close down of late, and Brown out shot them 33-27.

“We took advantage and did a good job creating transition and moving pucks up the ice. That’s where it’s hard because you can’t close things off,” Carvel said. “With that extra width of our ice, I thought they took advantage of the offensive zone being bigger, and they had a lot of motion.”

But the Minutemen had Pavicich, who stopped 33 shots and was rarely threatened. He posted his second shutout of the season. 

“We need him to be good. We didn’t get that against Clarkson, and that’s a tough loss for us, but (Tuesday) he was really steady,” Carvel said. “The scoring chances they got, he seemed to be on top of every one of them, so that was a big bounce back game for him.”

UMass will next face Boston College on Saturday at Fenway Park (NESN). The Minutemen last played at the Red Sox stadium in 2017.

COLE WORLD – O’Hara was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Week on Monday after posting four points in two games at the Kwik Trip Holiday Face off against Clarkson and Lake Superior State. The Nashville Predators draft pick scored two goals against the Golden Knights and had two assists against the Lakers. 

It’s his first conference award, and he becomes the third Minuteman honored with the Rookie of the Week distinction this season.

Kyle Grabowski can be  reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.]]>