AMHERST – The result finally caught up to the UMass hockey team’s process.

Beating Providence on the road last Friday snapped a six-game losing streak, the Minutemen’s longest since 2018. UMass (10-13-3, 4-11-1 Hockey East) ascended a spot in the Hockey East standings to ninth.

“You try to come in every day with a good mindset. When you’re losing, there’s something that’s dragging you down,” UMass captain Eric Faith said. “When you’re working hard every day and it pays off, it makes it more enjoyable.”

The Minutemen never stopped enjoying playing or being around each other, even when they were losing by a goal. “The Process” is a pillar of the program, and UMass stuck to it to find its way.

“We had belief in this room that we had what it takes to get it done,” UMass forward Cal Kiefiuk said. “The belief in the room never changed. We stuck to what we needed to do to get out of it.”

UMass hosts Vermont on Friday and Saturday, two 7 p.m. starts. The Catamounts (9-15-3, 4-12-1) are one of just two teams below the Minutemen in the league standings (11th). They split their last two series with then-No. 18 Boston College and then-No. 16 Merrimack.

“They’re gonna try and get some greasy goals on us. They’re gonna try and get bodies to the net. Our focus is the same thing,” Faith said. “We’re gonna try and get bodies to the net and outnumber them around their net and get some ugly goals.”

Vermont has the fewest goals in Hockey East (48), 13 fewer than any other team. The Catamounts convert the smallest amount of their shots to goals (6.9 percent). Isak Walther (six goals, eight assists) and Andrei Buyalsky (11 assists) co-lead the team with 14 points each.

“You’ve got to focus on the small things that make us a good team. It’s got nothing to do with systems or goals for or against. It comes down to playing the right style. That’s what we did Friday, we got back to playing the right way,” Faith said. “We’ve been giving up less and less chances, that’s what you’ve got to focus on when things are starting to go south.”

One big thing that will swing in UMass’ favor is playing at home with students in the arena. The Minutemen haven’t skated on Mullins Center ice since Jan. 20 against UConn. Students haven’t been on campus for a hockey game since Dec. 7 against Merrimack.

“They bring a ton of energy. I think we have one of the best atmospheres in college hockey,” Kiefiuk said. “To have them back it’ll be exciting. It’s something we’ve been missing.”

UMass only played three home games over that stretch and went 1-2. The Minutemen were 5-3-1 with students in the building and swept then-No. 1 Denver.

BORN IN THE USA – UMass sophomore defensemen Scott Morrow and Ryan Ufko are among 50 semifinalists for the Walter Brown Award, given annually to the top American-born men’s hockey player in New England.

“It’s great. They’re probably a little young for it. To me that’s a career prize. I think it’s for an upperclassman that’s done it consistently for a long time,” Carvel said. “Those guys are on their way to that. They’re our two best hockey players. They deserve to be in that discussion.”

Former UMass forward Bobby Trivigno won the award in 2021 and 2022.

LOOKING FRESH – Forward Kenny Connors was named one of 27 semifinalists for the 2023 Tim Taylor Award, given to the national men’s college hockey rookie of the year. He’s one of five Hockey East first years on the list.

Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.]]>