Lucas Mercuri played hero for the UMass hockey team on Thursday night.

The junior netted the game-winning goal with 48 seconds to play in regulation, and the No. 15 Minutemen came from a goal down in the third period to defeat No. 5 Providence on the road in the first of two games in three days between the Hockey East programs.

Ryan Ufko tied the game 2-2 with 12 minutes, 52 seconds remaining in the third period, as the junior put home a power-play goal. Scott Morrow and Kenny Connors tallied assists.

Providence’s Luke Krys got the scoring started in the first period, and the Friars (8-2-2) took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission on the goal that was assisted by Nick Poisson and Jaroslav Chmelar.

UMass freshman forward Cam O’Neill responded in the second period to tie the game at one before the Friars added their second goal off the stick of Chase Yoder to make it 2-1.

Christian Sanda, Lucas Vanroboys, Ryan Lautenbach, and Samuli Niinisaari each picked up assists as well for the Minutemen.

Freshman Michael Hrabal got the nod in goal for UMass. He picked up 21 saves on 23 shots, including a stellar third period to keep the Minutemen in the game and give them a chance to do what they did in the final 20 minutes. 

The Minutemen (7-3-1) will head home and host Providence on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Mullins Center.