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Tag: hockey east

  • UMass Lowell hockey team trounced 8-2 by Northeastern Huskies

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    LOWELL — The numbers of Saturday night’s hockey game between UMass Lowell and Northeastern are perplexing.

    But the video board at the Tsongas Center doesn’t hold any nuances in the Huskies’ 8-2 win that cued many of the 5,134 fans to trickle to the exits in the third period.

    UML outshot Northeastern by a 35-20 margin and held a significant 38-19 advantage at the faceoff dot. Shot attempts were heavily slanted in favor of UMass Lowell, 72-28.

    Even the eye test triggered a similar response from the opposing Hockey East coaches.

    Northeastern bench boss Jerry Keefe said postgame that his team has “a lot of things we need to work on.” Longtime UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin quipped that he actually thought his team looked better compared to Friday’s 2-0 loss to the Huskies.

    That’s because the River Hawks held large chunks of possession time and offensive zone opportunities for much of Saturday’s blowout loss. UML’s undoing was allowing eight goals on 20 shots in what was the first eight-spot UMass Lowell has relinquished since the 2014-15 season, when Michigan marched into the Tsongas Center with an 8-4 win.

    “In an odd way, I was happier with our game today than I was yesterday,” Bazin said. “But it’s not reflected in the score.”

    Statistics aside, momentum continues not to be on the side of the UMass Lowell men’s hockey team. And the group’s home struggles also remain prevalent, falling to 3-11-0 at the Tsongas.

    After completing the Hockey East weekend sweep on the road at the University of Vermont, the River Hawks entered a two-game home set with Northeastern with a golden opportunity to stay hot as the regular season winds down against a Huskies team that had won just one game in their last eight tries entering Friday.

    But a two-goal salvo from the visitors in the opening minutes was a backbreaker.

    “I didn’t see this coming,” Bazin said. “I thought we were going to come out pretty well tonight.”

    UMass Lowell (12-20-0, 8-14-0 HE) outshot Northeastern (15-15-1, 10-11-0 HE) 14-6 in the first period before holding a 12-4 advantage in the middle frame. But the Huskies blocked an eye-popping 23 shots on Saturday, as opposed to UML’s three.

    “Making that commitment to eating pucks for each other is something we talk about all the time,” Keefe said. “I think that kind of shows the type of guys we have in our room.”

    UML has been showing plenty of fight as of late, and it looked like the hosts were beginning to piece together a late comeback when TJ Schweighardt scored a power play goal on a shot from the point at 9:32 of the middle frame to cut the Northeastern lead to 4-1.

    But the Huskies’ Austen May found twine 5:42 into the final stanza to position UML in a deep hole.

    Northeastern came out firing in the first period, as Eli Sebastian and Joe Connor lit the lamp in a 50-second span just 1:53 into the game. Connor’s goal will certainly be added to his highlight reel. Northeastern’s second-leading goal scorer entered the attacking zone with speed along the right wall on his forehand before sliding the puck to his backhand and roofing it as he barreled into the boards with a defender on his hip.

    Noah Jones scored his first career goal with under four minutes to play in the first to provide the Huskies with a commanding 3-0 lead at the break. Bazin yanked Samuel Richard from the crease after the starter allowed three goals on five shots.

    “Everything that was shot towards our net went in today,” Bazin said. “Our goalies have had good games for us this year. Today wasn’t one of those.”

    Northeastern’s lead ballooned to 4-0 when Dylan Compton scored in the opening six minutes of the middle period, until Schweighardt stopped the bleeding. But the Huskies would roll to the finish line with tallies off the sticks of May, Giacomo Martino, Jack Pechar and Matthew Perkins in the third period before Lee Parks scored in garbage time. Parks also picked up an assist earlier.

    Martino’s laser off the top right post and in at 9:17 cued many fans in Lowell to trickle to the exits.
    Only two games remain on the regular season slate for UMass Lowell. After making the quick jaunt to North Andover for a rare Thursday meeting with Merrimack on March 5 (7 p.m.), UML will host Boston University in the season finale on March 7 at 6:05 p.m.

    “We’re going to have to come up with a lot of solutions here,” Bazin said. “So we’ll work on that this week. I wish we weren’t off, but we are.”

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    Jason Cooke

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  • UML hockey notebook: River Hawks, UMass set to clash 3 times in 7 days

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    LOWELL — As Hockey East rivalries go, the Hatfields vs. the McCoys comes to mind.

    And by next Saturday night, don’t expect a lot of hugs to be exchanged between UMass Lowell and UMass players.

    Starting with Sunday (3:30 p.m.) at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, the River Hawks and Minutemen will play three times over a seven-day span.

    UML (9-16, 5-10 HE) will host UMass (15-10, 8-7 HE) again on Friday (7:15 p.m.) and then the Minutemen will host the third game on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at the Mullins Center.

    “It’s more like a playoff series than it is a regular-season series,” UML head coach Norm Bazin said.

    In-state bragging rights are on the line whenever the programs play. Despite the frigid temperatures outside, emotions on the ice may boil over due to the expected intensity level.

    UML has dropped three games in a row, including a painful 6-5 overtime loss to Maine last Saturday. UML scored five straight goals to take a 5-3 lead, but then allowed the final three games to fall at home.

    Senior Dillan Bentley (11-9-20) continues to lead the River Hawks in goals and points. Graduate student Jay Ahearn (9-6-15) and junior Jak Vaarwerk (5-9-14) have also supplied consistent offense.

    In goal, neither Samuel Richard (2.93 GAA, .901 save %) nor Austin Elliott (2.70 GAA, .898 save %) has been able to get on a roll.

    Conversely, UMass is riding a six-game winning streak. In that span, the Minutemen have posted three shutouts and only allowed five total goals.

    “They’ve been hot of late,” Bazin said. “The last two or three weekends they’ve been tough to score on. From a structure standpoint, they’re playing a good brand of hockey.”

    Michael Hrabal has been superb between the pipes with a 2.15 goals against average and .929 save percentage. Offensively, the top scorers have been Jack Musa (10-14-24) and Vaclav Nestrasil (11-12-23).

    UMass has shined on the road, going 8-4.

    UMass Lowell’s Jak Vaarwerk (29) is denied by Maine goaltender Albin Boija during Friday’s college hockey game at the Tsongas Center. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)

    Kroll makes jump

    Due to season-ending injuries to defensemen Tnias Mathurin and Daniel Buchbinder, the River Hawks recently brought in Des Moines (USHL) captain Ryan Kroll. Kroll has seen action in two games.

    A 6-1, 194-pound native of Plainville, Ill., Kroll is a sturdy, stay-at-home defenseman who plays a simple game.

    “We didn’t give him a big workload, but he played well. We feel he’s going to be a good defenseman,” Bazin said. “He’s a defensive defenseman. He has a good attitude. He knows what he is.”

    UML has struggled to find consistency. One reason is the lack of collegiate experience among the defensemen.

    “Sometimes we show our age,” Bazin said.

    Loose pucks

    Bazin was encouraged by the play of sophomore forward Lee Parks, who tallied a goal and assist in Saturday’s game. He also led the River Hawks with three blocked shots.

    A 6-foot-2, 210-pound native of Ontario, Parks tallied eight goals as a freshman. He has three goals and five assists this winter.

    “He’s starting to really move his feet,” Bazin said, “and when he moves his feet he’s an excellent player.” … Sunday’s game can be viewed on NESN. … The River Hawks are hoping to improve on their 2-8 record at the Tsongas.

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    Barry Scanlon

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  • UMass Lowell hockey team blanked 2-0 at home by No. 17 Maine

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    UMass Lowell was hoping a thrilling 4-3 overtime win at Boston University would be a springboard to a winning streak.

    Instead the River Hawks were blanked by BU the next night in Lowell and they were shut out Friday night for the sixth time this season and the fifth time in their last 14 games.

    Maine defeated UML for the seventh straight time following a 2-0 Hockey East win at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

    Maine goalie Albin Boija posted a 25-save shutout. Austin Elliott turned aside 27 of 29 shots for UML. UML went 0-for-6 on the power play to fall to 2-7 at home this winter.

    Brock James opened the scoring in the first period for No. 17 Maine. He was denied on a partial breakaway by Elliott, but the puck squirted to Nicholas Peluso. Peluso centered it and James was able to poke it into the UML net.

    Minutes later, UMass Lowell captain Jay Ahearn snapped a 20-foot wrist shot which clanked off the left post behind Boija. Ahearn led UML with five shots on goal.

    Charlie Russell doubled Maine’s lead in the second period.

    Maine has now won the first two games of the season series against UML. The teams will battle Saturday (6:05 p.m.) back at the Tsongas.

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    Staff Report

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  • UML hockey notebook: Nate Misskey a big defenseman from a small town

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    LOWELL — When Nate Misskey was drafted by a National Hockey League team, he was the talk of his Canadian town.

    It seemed everyone heard the news because, well, Melfort, Saskatchewan (population 5,955 in a 2021 census) is a tight-knit and small community.

    “It’s a small little town,” the 6-3, 213-pound UMass Lowell freshman defenseman said after practice Tuesday at the Tsongas Center. “Everyone pretty much knows everyone else around town. That was a pretty big deal. It was awesome. People were calling my parents to congratulate them.”

    Misskey, selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 143rd pick in 2024, is coming off his best game as a River Hawk. On Saturday, he tallied his first collegiate goal in his eighth game and added an assist as UML earned a Hockey East split with 16th-ranked Providence thanks to a solid 5-1 home victory.

    Known more as a strong defenseman, Misskey has three points in his last three games.

    “He’s very honest defenseman,” head coach Norm Bazin said. “When he’s on he’s been very good offensively and defensively.”

    Bazin said Misskey has had plenty on his plate “because we have a young D corps.” Like other players coming from the Canadian Hockey League, there’s been an adjustment period to college hockey for Misskey.

    “The guys are bigger, stronger. Definitely a lot of speed in (Hockey East),” he said.

    Misskey made the tough decision at age 14 to leave home and further his hockey career. His travels ultimately led him to the Western Hockey League. He played in 172 regular-season games over the previous three seasons with the Victoria Royals.

    He staged an impressive season last winter, compiling 10-37-47 totals in 63 games and then added six assists in 11 playoff games.

    Playing in front of home crowds at the Tsongas has been “amazing,” he said.

    Misskey brought the crowd to its feet last Saturday when he pocketed his first collegiate goal. Stationed in the left faceoff circle, he one-timed a nifty cross-ice feed from Jak Vaarwerk for a power-play goal against Providence.

    “It was a nice feed from Vaarwerk. It’s certainly something I’d like to contribute,” he said of providing offense from the back end.

    He has long admired the play of hulking veteran NHL defenseman Brent Burns, known mainly for a booming slap shot and lengthy beard. The beard is something Misskey doesn’t have in common with Burns, though.

    “I can’t grow facial hair,” the baby-faced Misskey said with a laugh.

    UML freshman defenseman Nate Misskey begins to celebrate after scoring his first collegiate goal against Providence. He’s a draft pick of the San Jose Sharks. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/UMass Lowell Athletics)

    Scouting the Wildcats

    UML (4-4, 2-2) will return to Hockey East play with a weekend set against New Hampshire. UNH (3-4, 1-2 HE) is coming off a split against Vermont.

    The Wildcats stunned many in their season opener when they defeated No. 2 Michigan State, 4-3. UML will host the first game Friday (7:15 p.m.) and the Wildcats will host the Saturday (7 p.m.) rematch.

    “A team that has a good transition offense and good goaltending,” Bazin said. “A lot to be aware of.”

    Bazin said he was pleased with the way his team responded after falling 5-1 to Providence last Friday.

    “Every game we’re adding a little piece. I’d like us to be more connected,” he said. “We showed a good response Saturday from Friday. We realized we have to play a certain way to have a chance at success.”

    “It was pretty big. It shows what we’re built of,” Vaarwerk said. “We have a big weekend against UNH. I know they’ve had our number in the past.”

    Loose pucks

    Two players who seemed to emerge last weekend were junior defenseman Sean Kilcullen and sophomore forward Libor Nemec.

    Kilcullen tallied his first collegiate goal Friday with a well-placed wrist shot. On Saturday, he blocked a shot with his team shorthanded. Fellow defenseman TJ Schweighhardt picked up the puck, raced down ice and sniped a key goal.

    Nemec, meanwhile, who showed promise during an injury-plagued freshman season, was held without a point in his first seven games. But he collected two assists in Saturday’s win.

    “I like the way those guys played over the weekend. I think there’s other guys ready to bust out. I do,” Bazin said. … UML has tallied two shorthanded goals this season. Strangely, both have been notched by defensemen – Tnius Mathurin had the first. … UML continues to be without Mathurin and freshman forward Diego Buttazzoni due to injuries.

    Bazin said sophomore defenseman Daniel Buchbinder, who was injured during one of his first shifts in the season opener against Merrimack, will not return this season. … Area football fans are thrilled by the six-game winning streak put together by the Patriots. But at least one UML player says New England won’t win the AFC East.

    Asked who will capture the division, Vaarwerk couldn’t have answered more quickly. “The Bills,” responded the native of Clarence, N.Y., a Buffalo suburb, and a lifelong Bills fan. … Vaarwerk (2-4-6), Schweighardt (2-4-6) and Dalyn Wakely (0-6-6) lead the team in points.

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    Barry Scanlon

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  • UML hockey notebook: River Hawks look to continue winning ways vs. Holy Cross

    UML hockey notebook: River Hawks look to continue winning ways vs. Holy Cross

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    LOWELL  — The leaves are falling and the wins are piling up again for the UMass Lowell hockey team.

    And folks nationally are noticing. After four straight wins, the River Hawks (4-1) have soared into the USCHO.com top 20 poll for the first time this season.

    The No. 20 River Hawks have scored 17 goals during their streak. After a season-opening loss to Minnesota Duluth, UML has defeated Duluth, Colgate (twice) and Merrimack College. UML is coming off a 6-3 win at Merrimack to open the Hockey East slate.

    “I like our compete level and it’s been good in four of the five games. They seem to be meshing well and getting along well,” said head coach Norm Bazin. “It’s a small sample size. We’re just trying to add to our identity. I think we’ve been strong on special teams. I think our goaltending for the most part has been pretty good.”

    Scoring has been an issue with the team in recent years. But pucks are flying into opposing nets with regularity and three players are averaging more than a point a game in the early going – senior forward Owen Cole (4-3-7), freshman forward Chris Delaney (4-2-6) and graduate defenseman Ben Meehan (1-5-6).

    Cole earned Hockey East Co-Player of the Week honors following his one-goal, three-assist gem during the win at Merrimack.

    Not far behind are junior Scout Truman (3-1-4) and freshman Mirko Buttazoni (0-4-4). UML has showed impressive balance as 12 players have at least one goal and 19 skaters have tallied at least one point.

    UML’s best seasons under Bazin have come when the River Hawks featured balanced scoring up and down the lineup.

    Scouting report

    For the second straight week, UML will only play one game. On tap Friday (7 p.m.) is a visit to Worcester and the Hart Center Rink to battle Holy Cross (3-4).

    Last season the Crusaders tied UML 2-2 in Lowell and then won the rematch the next night in Worcester 4-2.

    “They took care of business against us last year. I can tell you they play extremely hard. They’re extremely aggressive,” Bazin said. “I can appreciate and respect their compete. They charge the net like it’s their job. They beat UConn and it was a legitimate win. They beat us last year and it was a legitimate win.”

    Holy Cross is coached by Bill Riga, a former UMass Lowell skater.

    Loose pucks

    Graduate student Henry Welsch has been named the Hockey East Goaltender of the Month. He went unbeaten between the pipes in October, compiling a 4-0-0 record with a 1.75 goals against average and .918 save percentage.

    He is the only Hockey East goalie to not record a loss or tie and Welsch leads the conference in winning percentage. He is tied for second in goals against average. … A couple of weeks ago defensemen Nick Anderson and Pierson Brandon played against Colgate, a team they had been with for four seasons before transferring. This week defenseman Jack Robilotti is in the same spot.

    Robilotti played four seasons at Holy Cross before joining UML. He has one assist in five games. He had five blocked shots and sports a terrific +5 in the plus/minus category. “To be honest they have good friends over there,” Bazin said, “but they have good friends over here, too.” … Transfers Andover (0-3-3), Connor Eddy (1-1-2), Brandon (1-0-1), Ian Carpentier (1-0-1) and Robilotti (0-1-1) have all contributed in the early going.

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    Barry Scanlon

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