AMHERST, Mass. -  The UConn men's hockey team skated to a 3-3 tie Friday evening in the first game of a weekend series against Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives the extra point in the standings following an eight round shoot out win.

The Huskies jumped out to the early lead as freshman Ethan Whitcomb took the pass from Jake Richard and scored his first career goal four minutes into the start of the game. Massachusetts responded five minutes later as Francesco Dell'Elce beat junior goaltender Tyler Muszelik to tie the game. The Huskies and Minutemen would continue to battle, and with two minutes remaining in the first period, freshman Kaden Shahan took the stretch pass from Kai Janviriya and was able to beat Michael Hrabal on the breakaway to give UConn the one goal lead heading into the break.

The Minutemen jumped UConn in the second period, scoring 40 seconds into the start of the period to tie the game at two. Both teams had chances to take the lead, but both netminders stood strong maintaining the tie. Massachusetts found the back of the net to take the 3-2 lead but following a review, officials ruled no goal due to goalie interference. With 50 seconds remaining in the period, Ryan Tattle, outskated the minutemen defender and found teammate Hudson Schandor, who found Tristan Fraser and following a shot by Fraser, Tattle was in the right place at the right time to find the back of the net and give UConn the one goal lead heading into the third period.

The third period was a defensive battle. With time running down, the Minutemen pulled Hrabal in favor of an extra skater and with 17 seconds left tied the game off a rebound and forced a sudden death overtime period. In overtime both teams had chances to win, with freshman Kai Janviriya ringing the post on a shot, and Tyler Muszelik making a diving save to keep the game tied at three.

In the shootout, the goalies put on a clinic, saving shot after shot. In the eighth round of the shootout, Massachusetts was able to find the back of the net and take home the extra point in the standings.

UP NEXT:  The Huskies will wrap up the weekend series with Massachusetts tomorrow in Storrs at the Toscano Family Ice Forum. Puck drop is set for 7pm and can be streamed live on ESPN+.