No. 16/15 Buckeyes Fall Short at No. 12 UConn, 3-2

Friday, October 17

Storrs, Conn.

7 p.m.

Ohio State

2-1-0

UConn

2-1-0

Ohio St.

UConn

No. 16/15 Buckeyes Fall Short at No. 12 UConn, 3-2

10/17/2025 9:54:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score PDF Box Score

Teams will close weekend series at 4 p.m. Saturday in Hartford

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A rally by the No. 16/15 Ohio State men's hockey team fell short, as the Buckeyes lost to No. 12 UConn, 3-2, Friday in Toscano Family Ice Forum in Storrs, Conn. Both teams are now 2-1 on the year.

Up Next
The Buckeyes and Huskies will close the weekend series at 4 p.m. Saturday in Hartford, Conn. ESPN+ will broadcast the matchup.

The Buckeyes will then host a four-game homestand, taking on Sacred Heart Oct. 24-25 and No. 6 Penn State Oct. 30-31. Season tickets, Power Play mini plans, group tickets and single game tickets are all available now. Ticket Information

Quoting head coach Steve Rohlik
"It wasn't a great start against a team at home that plays hard and with a lot of much energy. We got our legs going midway through the game, but it's hard to recover against a really good hockey team. We have to be better tomorrow."

The Short Story
UConn controlled much of the first period and opened the scoring at 8:15, but a late goal from Max Montes sent the teams into the locker room tied at one. Buckeye goalie Kristoffer Eberly made 13 saves in the stanza. The Huskies scored the only two goals of the second for a 3-1 lead through 40 minutes. Buckeye Riley Thompson tallied early in a power play at 10:18 of the third for a one-goal game, but Ohio State was unable to even the score. Ohio State, which outshot UConn 34-29, was 1-for-3 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

Buckeye freshman Jake Karabela had a team-best two assists and points in the game, his first collegiate two-point night. Montes and Thompson both now have two goals this season and Karabela has three assists and points on the year.

How it Happened

UConn's Mike Murtagh opened the scoring at 8:15 of the first from in close.
Buckeye freshman Jake Karabela forced a turnover behind the Husky net and passed the puck out in front. Max Montes was able to get the loose puck home at 18:17.
The Huskies took a 2-1 lead at 6:17 of the second, scoring off a turnover, and a goal on a 4-on-2 rush at 16:45 but UConn up 3-1.
The Buckeyes were outshot 14-8 in the first period, but had the advantage in the second, 11-5.
With a goal just three seconds into a power play, Riley Thompson drew the Buckeyes within one at 10:18 of the third. Karabela won the faceoff to set up the play, with Thompson picking up the puck and shooting shortside from the hash marks.
Ohio State skated with the net empty for the final 1:37 and had a 6-on-4 advantage for the last 43 seconds after a Husky penalty for holding, but was unable to find the equalizer.
The teams combined for 25 shots in the third, with the Buckeyes ahead, 15-10. Ohio State ended the game with the edge in shots, 34-29.
Ohio State blocked 11 UConn shot attempts, led by Ethan Straky, James Hong and Broten Sabo with two each. UConn had 17 shot blocks.
Buckeye goalie Kristoffer Eberly had 26 saves in 58:23, while Tyler Muszelik had 32 stops in all 60 minutes.
The Buckeyes were 1-for-3 on the power play in the game, going 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
The game was the first between the teams in Storrs, Conn. The first five games between the teams on UConn home ice were in Hartford, where the series moves Saturday.

Another look at the Max Montes goal that tied the game ??

Jake Karabela forces the turnover, Montes finds the loose puck around the net for his second goal of the year.#GoBucks ??ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/0wRUemdOhu
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) October 17, 2025

Buckeyes convert on the power play to draw within one.

Karabela wins the faceoff, Thompson with the finish.

UConn 3, OSU 2 | 9:42 left | P3#GoBucks ?? ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/nvuBvRVte2
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) October 18, 2025