NEW HAVEN — UConn players, led by captain Tabor Heaslip, rushed out to the ice to grab the CT Ice Trophy, earned with a thrilling third-period rally.
Then they brought the silver cup over to the bench and presented it to a fallen comrade, senior Huston Karpman, whose college career was ended with a torn ACL on Dec. 5.
“That kid’s worked so hard for four years here,” said Jake Percival, who scored the go-ahead goal in the Huskies’ 4-2 victory over Quinnipiac at Ingalls Rink Saturday night. “It’s heartbreaking to see him go down with an injury. But it’s been nothing but positive. Honestly, it’s something to play for, added motivation to play for that kid, who grinds for every day and can’t play any more. It was pretty fun to bring him that trophy and see his reaction.”
Dom Amore’s Sunday Read: CT’s league rivals to collide; Heisman winner could’ve been Yale QB, more
Heaslip, who scored a terrific, and game-changing shorthanded goal early in the game, savored that part of it, too. “Karp’s awesome,” Heaslip said. “He’s in the fight more than ever, now. I mean, he’s cutting up film, doing all the things possible to help our group win. Even if he’s not on the ice part-taking, we’re going to need everybody coming down the stretch.”
The Huskies needed all hands on deck and all they could muster to overcome another championship-caliber Quinnipiac team, which several times appeared ready to put the game away and win its fourth CT Ice title. Outshot 13-3 in the first period, UConn came out with a 1-0 lead thanks to Heaslip, who stole the puck at center ice and scored on a breakaway, beating goalie Matej Marinov. “It’s not the game … but it might be the game,” Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold said. “It’s a back-breaker. We were awesome in the first period.”
The Bobcats (19-5-3) ranked eighth in the NCAA Percentage Index, which drives tournament selection, had even more control of the second period, and scored two goals within 57 seconds, from Markus Vidicek and Chris Pelosi, to take the lead. But UConn’s Tyler Muszelik, who made 28 saves, stoned-walled them the rest of the way in goal.
“Muszelik was the best player on the ice, in my opinion,” Pecknold said.
Finally, UConn erupted. Carlin Dezainde scored from the left of the slot 4:36 into the third period, and with OT looming, Percival, the senior from Avon, chipped in a rebound created by Tristan Fraser, to put the Huskies ahead with 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Joey Muldowney wrapped it up with an empty netter.
“It was a focal point for us going into this game,” UConn coach Mike Cavanaugh said. “We talked openly about the fact we’ve been in the finals three times previously and all three times, it was an even game going into the third period and we lost all three times. We said, ‘we’ve got to face it, it’s kind of our demon.’ We looked it square in the eye and were able to overcome that.”
Percival played in a state championship game at Ingalls in 2018, scoring in Farmington Valley Co-op’s victory. Heaslip, who played at Avon Old Farms, listened to the long tribute to his former prep coach, John Gardner, who died in December, read before the Huskies’ 5-2 victory over Yale Friday night. UConn’s Ryan Tattle, the most outstanding player, became the all-time leading CT Ice scorer.
The Huskies (15-7-3) boosted their NCAA Tournament stock, rising to 15th in NPI, though they have some hard work ahead in Hockey East play. After losing seven in a row to Quinnipiac, the 2023 national champs and winner of three of the six CT Ice tournaments, UConn beat the Bobcats in the semifinals last season, and again in the NCAA’s Round of 16, the program’s first-ever tournament game. These are elite teams, and it would be no surprise if they crossed paths again before the season is over.
Dom Amore: UConn men keep surviving Big East battles, and there’s a lot to be said for that
“We knew we had a target on our back,” Heaslip said. “We knew we were playing for more than just a championship. We’re the only public school that plays in this tournament, the only team that has the word ‘Connecticut’ our jersey. I just felt like we had something to prove this weekend. It’s a hockey school also, not just basketball. We’re still trying to make a name for ourselves.”
So UConn’s second straight hoisting of the CT Ice trophy came with a lot of emotion in a nearly filled Ingalls Rink, and also comes with the realization that event’s future is up in the air. And it shouldn’t be. This tournament is worth fighting for.
“I think it’s been great, you saw the emotion from UConn when they won, it’s a big deal,” Pecknold said. “That’s probably the best advocate for it right there. Guys are into this, it’s great for the state, great for youth hockey, hopefully we keep the four-team rotation going. Our plans are to have it next year, I don’t know what we’re waiting on, we haven’t picked a rink yet.”
Only in men’s and women’s hockey does Connecticut have four high-major programs, including two former national champs not named UConn. CT Ice got off to an awkward start during the pandemic, and the weather has not always cooperated, though it at least beat the snow by 12 hours this time.
“Hell, yeah, it’s worth fighting to save it, why wouldn’t we?” Cavanaugh said. “It’s perfect for this time of year, except for the teams in the Beanpot, we’re the only four teams that get a dress rehearsal for what’s to come later in the year.”
Dom Amore: UConn hockey star sustains his fight on behalf of cancer victims
Yale, 2013 national champ, has always been a reluctant competitor, because there are legit scheduling complications. As an Ivy League program, they’re limited to playing fewer games, so there are fewer nonconference slots. Unless the ECAC allows a match with Quinnipiac to count as a regular-season game, as it did once, the Bulldogs and Bobcats could end up playing three times in a season. Harvard and Boston’s Hockey East rivals have overcome these issues to keep the Beanpot intact. When Yale names a permanent replacement for Keith Allain, who stepped down as coach at the start of the season, its intentions regarding the future of CT Ice figure to materialize.
Meanwhile, Cavanaugh is a strong proponent of making PeoplesBank Arena a permanent home. UConn, Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart, the first CT Ice winner, have great, fairly new facilities, and Ingalls Rink, the 1950s Eero Saarinen architectural masterpiece, is a cool hockey venue. All have had a chance to host, but a tournament with the potential to draw north of 5,000 fans belongs in downtown Hartford.
If Yale pulls out, the tournament could go on with UConn, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart and an invitee, but it would not be the same. CT Ice is worth saving intact, and worth building. Maybe a kid from Connecticut scoring the winning goal is a good omen.
“There is the Beanpot, which has a lot of history and this is just starting,” Percival said. “But this starting to get a lot of traction. The atmosphere tonight was unbelievable and it’s only going to keep growing. Connecticut’s a hockey place.”