UMass hockey ranked No. 1 for first time in program history

Massachusetts' John Leonard (9) prepares to shoot the puck against Princeton in the first period of an NCAA college hockey game in Amherst, Mass., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. (J. Anthony Roberts/The Republican via AP)

By David Souza

For the first time in their program's lengthy history, the University of Massachusetts men's ice hockey team has been named the top college hockey team in the nation, according to the official poll released by the USCHO, one of the two main polling sites for NCAA ice hockey.

The Minutemen (12-1) have had a fantastic beginning to their season, with their lone loss coming to Ohio State, the then-number one team in the country. UMass also beat the No. 1 Buckeyes in that two-game series, doubling them up, 6-3, a night before OSU handed the Minutemen a 3-1 loss.

Other ranked wins for UMass have come against the No. 4 Providence Friars – now 10th ranked – who they defeated twice in as many days at the beginning of November. UMass also edged No. 18 Princeton two days after Thanksgiving. The Tigers have since dropped out of the rankings.

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Leading the way for the Minutemen has been a stout sophomore class. Mitchell Chaffee, a forward, leads the team in goals with 10 – good for the fifth most in the nation, according to the USCHO.

Cale Makar, a fellow sophomore at UMass, is tied with Chaffee for the team lead in points (18). Both are tied for 12th overall in Division 1 in that category.

A defenseman, Makar has gotten on the score sheet mostly from assists this year. His 12 helpers are tied for 13th most in the country with a number of other players, including teammate John Leonard, another sophomore scoring threat (17 points). Leonard is a native of Amherst, Mass.

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Senior forward Brett Boeing leads the nation in shorthanded goals, netting two of them thus far.

In the cage, sophomore Matt Murray has provided good goaltending for the Minutemen. He’s compiled a 1.99 goals-against average – 14th best nationally – and a .929 save percentage – 10th best – in 542 minutes this season.

The Minutemen’s first test as the top-ranked squad will be a home-and-home series with the No. 8 Quinnipiac Bobcats (13-2) this weekend.