AMHERST, Massachusetts Two late goals by Amherst native and San Jose Sharks draft pick John Leonard pushed the No. 3 University of Massachusetts-Amherst past the American International College ice hockey by a score of 4-1 in a nonconference game on Friday, October 25.

FAST FACTS:
SCORE:No. 3 UMass-Amherst 4, AIC 1
RECORDS:The Yellow Jackets fall to 1-3-0 overall and maintain a 1-0-0-0 mark in Atlantic Hockey; the Minutemen improve to 4-1-0 while remaining at 0-1-0 in Hockey East.
LOCATION:Mullins Center, Amherst, Massachusetts

STATS:
UMass-Amherst:
Anthony Del Gaizo: One goal
John Leonard: Two goals
Cal Kiefiuk: One goal
Matt Murray: Win (2-1-0), 15 saves on 16 shots.

AIC:
Jared Pike: One goal
Patrik Demel: One assist
Justin Cole: One assist
Zackarias Skog: Loss (1-3-0), 25 saves on 28 shots

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Despite an early AIC barrage of shots, it was the Minutemen striking first, with Anthony Del Gaizo getting loose in the slot and tucking a shot under the crossbar at 3:12.
• AIC continued pounding at the net, but Matt Murray made eight saves in the opening eight minutes to keep the Yellow Jackets off the board.
• AIC finally broke through Murray on a brilliant passing play, as redshirt sophomore Justin Cole spotted senior Patrik Demel driving down the left wing wide open; he hit Demel, who cut toward the net and then laid a pass for a one-timer by senior Jared Pike that snuck through Murray at 14:10 for Pike's first of the season.
• The Minutemen had two close chances bookending the first intermission; John Leonard rang the crossbar with a shot with under six seconds to play in the first, and then had a shot by Oliver Chau that nearly went in off the left post but was called no goal and confirmed by video review just over a minute into the second.
• The Minutemen had a pair of power plays in the second period, but senior Zackarias Skog was in tune again, stopping several of brilliant chances in front of the net.
• The Yellow Jackets went on a major power play as Del Gaizo was ejected for a hit to the head at 13:02 of the second, and then went to a two-man advantage as Zac Jones was sent off for a cross check 54 seconds later. However, the Minutemen were able to prevent the AIC offense from generating any quality chances, keeping it tied 1-1 through two.
• The third period saw power play chances continue to pile up for both teams but not goals, as the clock ticked down without any damage being done.
• The Minutemen finally broke through on a turnover at the blue line, as John Leonard was able to walk in and score at 17:00 to put the home team ahead. Just 37 seconds later, Cal Kiefiuk tipped a point shot home that stood up after video review, and Leonard added an empty netter at 19:15 to close the scoring.

NEXT UP:

• The Yellow Jackets head to West Point, New York for a tilt with Atlantic Hockey Conference rival Army West Point on Friday, November 1 at 7:05 p.m. in the first game of a home-and-home series.
• The second game of the senies will be at the MassMutual Center the following day at 1:05 p.m. and will feature the banner-raising ceremony to honor the 2019 Atlantic Hockey Champion and West Region Finalist team.

STAY CONNECTED:

• For more updates about the AIC ice hockey team, follow@AIC_HockeyonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAmerican International College Ice HockeyonFacebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow@AICAthleticsonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAIC Yellow JacketsonFacebook.