River Hawks Shut Out Minutemen

By Anthony DeGregorio: SPM MA Writer
Posted Sunday, November 16, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. - UMass Lowell outlasted The University of Massachusetts men’s hockey team earning a 2-0 victory in a Hockey East match Saturday night at the Mullins Center.

The last time the River Hawks (5-4-1, 3-2 HE) shut out the Minutemen (5-3-1, 3-2-1 HE) was January 4th, 2004.

Both teams were confident entering the game, each coming off convincing wins over two of the nation’s top teams. The Minutemen welcomed Boston University, the nation’s top team, rudely with a 5-1 victory. The River Hawks routed #6 New Hampshire 8-3.

“As in most games in Hockey East, the team that wins special teams has a chance to win,” UMass Lowell coach Blaise MacDonald. “We did a great job on our penalty kill and were fortunate to bury a power play goal.”

Special teams played a big part as UMass continued its ineffectiveness on the power play, squandering four power plays. The Minutemen have failed to convert on their last 17 man advantages.

The scoreless first period was contradictory of the previous night where both teams’ offenses ruled supreme.

“I think it had a lot to do with the conditions,” UMass coach Don Cahoon said about the ice surface. “Sometimes you just have to adjust and play, you obviously didn’t see the puck movement tonight you may have seen in the past.”

The defenses played physical along the boards and kept pressure off the goalies, who faced a combined 14 shots in the first period.

The Minutemen, however, extended their penalty kill streak to 28. Alex Berry was whistled for hooking at 15:59 after trying to fight through a check and gain control of the puck behind the net in the offensive zone.

UMass-Lowell was able to generate more offense starting the second period spraying six shots on net in the first six minutes.

Their persistency paid off as freshman winger Michael Budd broke the scoreless tie snapping a shot between the pads of UMass sophomore goalie Paul Dainton at 9:37. Nick Monroe won the puck to David Vallorani, along the side board, who swept it to Budd on the left face off dot for his first collegiate point.

The Minutemen were put on the power play 30 seconds after the goal, however were unable to get a single shot on goal.

The River Hawks added an insurance goal on the power play at 12:03 of the third period. Junior defensemen Nick Schaus broke out of the zone with a pass to Vallorani streaking up the left boards. Vallorani centered a pass to Scott Campbell trailing the play who beat Dainton, ending UMass’ streak of 29- consecutive killed penalties.

The Minutemen pulled Dainton for an extra skater with just over a minute remaining, but were unsuccessful in pulling the game closer.

UMass Lowell will play back to back games at home again next weekend hosting Providence on Friday and Northeastern on Saturday, both at 7 p.m.

UMass prepares for two games against Boston College next weekend. The Minutemen will travel to Conte Forum on Friday before returning to the Mullins Center Saturday. Both games are at 7 p.m.