UMass Hockey in Trouble Without Injured Goaltender Steven Mastalerz

Amherst, Mass. -- It is no secret that the University of Massachusetts hockey team is better with goaltender Steven Mastalerz than without. John Micheletto's team has given up 17 goals against in the two games that Mastalerz did not start while giving up just 20 in the eight games started by the junior out of Kimball Union Academy.

Mastalerz, a North Andover, Mass. native, was injured in the second period of Friday's 4-1 loss at New Hampshire. He played through the pain, but was sidelined for Saturday's home game at the Mullins Center. Freshmen Alex Wakaluk and Mac Haight combined to give up nine goals on 33 shots.

The injury to Mastalerz is not considered to be season-ending, but could be week-to-week, according to a source. If he can not go this weekend, that could doom UMass against a Boston College team that put up 11 goals against Army on Sunday afternoon in Chestnut Hill. The Eagles are averaging five goals per game, most of any team in Hockey East.

Jeff Cox covers college and junior hockey, NCAA recruiting, NHL Draft prospects and the AHL for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.