STORRS, Conn. -  The UConn men's hockey team fell in the second game of the home and home series with Merrimack College. Merrimack scored three goals in the second period in route to a 5-2 victory. Merrimack netminder Nils Wallstrom made 23 saves in the win.

The Huskies dug themselves a hole early as Merrimack was able to collect the puck off a turnover in the UConn defensive zone and after a couple passes was able to find the back of the net for the first goal of the game. The Huskies offense started slow and was unable to find the equalizer in the period, only firing four shots on goal.

The second period was all Merrimack as they score three goals in the period to extend their lead. The warriors jumped the Huskies early as they scored back-to-back goals to take a 3-0 lead. Following a Merrimack penalty, the Huskies power play went to work and for the second straight night, the UConn special team's unit found the back of the net as sophomore Joey Muldowney fired a one timer off a feed from Ethan Gardula and Hudson Schandor, to cut the lead to two. Shortly after the UConn goal, Merrimack responded with a goal of their own to enter the period break once again leading by three.

The Huskies jumped Merrimack in the third period, as graduate student Hugh Larkin took a feed from freshman Filip Sitar and found the back of the net to cut the Merrimack lead to two. The Huskies continued to pressure but was unable to cut the lead to one. With three minutes to go, UConn pulled goaltender Tyler Muszelik in favor of an extra skater, and with time running out in the period, Merrimack scored on the empty net to seal the 5-2 win.

UConn will turn their attention to a Friday night game against no. 2 Boston College in Storrs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm and can be streamed live on ESPN+.