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.
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.
Barry Scanlon
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