The UMass hockey team nearly pulled off a last-second comeback in its 3-2 loss to Merrimack on Friday at Lawler Rink.

Daniel Jencko scored with 47 seconds left in regulation, then the Minutemen nearly evened the score as time expired, but Warriors goalie Nils Wallstrom made a sprawling save as the hosts held on in another tightly-contested Hockey East matchup between the two programs.

Merrimack got on the board first, 1-0, on a goal from Nick Pierre in the second period. UMass’ Aydar Suniev knotted it up less than five minutes later with his 14th of the season and the 1-1 score held into the second intermission.

Tyler Young put the Warriors back on top about two minutes into the third with a shot off the rush, making it 2-1 Merrimack. 

The Warriors’ third goal came on the power play late in the period, in what looked like the final nail in the coffin for the Minutemen, before Jencko’s one-timer gave UMass hope late. Ty Daneault netted the game-winner for Merrimack, which occurred after a Minuteman giveaway in their own zone.

UMass’ power play didn’t get anything going on Friday, finishing the night 0-for-4.

The two teams will meet back up in Amherst on Saturday, with puck drop at Mullins Center set for 7 p.m.