Griff Jeszka scored 2 minutes, 10 seconds into overtime to lift UMass to a 2-1 victory over Alabama-Huntsville during the Mariucci Classic hockey tournament at Mariucci Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on Friday.
The Minutemen will face Minnesota in the championship game today at 8 p.m. after Minnesota Mercyhurst, 5-1, in the other semifinal on Friday.
Minnesota native Jake Horton put UMass ahead with 4:32 left in the first period when he scored on a shot from the right point after receiving a pass from Kurt Keats following a faceoff win by Steven Iacobellis in the offensive zone.
Max McHugh tied the game 3:35 into the second period when the Chargers had on an extra skater on a delayed penalty call. McHugh redirected a shot in front of the net on assists from Josh Kestner and Jordan Larson.
UMass killed a pair of late penalties in the third period to keep the game tied, and Ray Pigizzi nearly won it with a shorthanded breakaway opportunity with six minutes to play. The Chargers outshot the Minutemen (5-12-2), 9-5, in the final frame, but UMass goalie Ryan Wischow stopped all nine shots and went on to finish with 29 saves as Alabama-Huntsville outshot the Minutemen, 30-19, for the game.
In overtime, William Lagesson and Niko Hildenbrand worked the puck into the Chargers’ zone and found Jeszka alone in front of the net for the game-winner.
Petrin Memorial
The 25th-annual David M. Petrin Memorial GHS Alumni Hockey Game will be held on Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. at Collins-Moylan Arena in Greenfield.
The game’s format has changed to an all-alumni game. A minimum of 30 skaters and two goaltenders are being sought for the event; in the event there are extra inquiries, all alums will be accommodated.
To be eligible, players must have played at least one season for and graduated from GHS.
To sign up, call Larry Petrin at 773-9250. Prospective players are asked to leave their name, phone number and year of graduation.
Sawmill 10K
The annual Sawmill River 10K Road Race will take place today at 10 a.m. in Montague Center.
Runners can also register beginning at 9 a.m. and the cost is $30. The race begins near the village common on Main Street. Hot and cold refreshments will be available.
The event benefits the Sponsor-A-Child Scholarship Program of the Montague Parks & Recreation Department. The event is a USA Track & Field sanctioned event.
Newt Guilbault elections
Elections for Newt Guilbault Community Baseball League board members and managers for the will take place Wednesday at 6 p.m. at St. Kazimierz Society in Turners Falls.
Anyone interested in being a part of the league is encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact league president Eric Meals at 824-0901.
Umpire course
The Hampshire-Franklin Baseball Umpires Association will conduct an instructional course for new umpires in January, February and March.
Members umpire scholastic baseball games in Franklin and Hampshire counties during April and May, as well as many summer-league games. The course consists of eight classes, which run on Sunday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The first class begins on Jan. 15 and runs through March 12. There is no class on Super Bowl Sunday.
Cost of the course is $50 and umpires must be at least 18-years-old and submit to a national background check.
For more information, contact Artie Burke at 863-2452 or email to AEBurke11@verizon.net.