Missed opportunities came back to haunt the UMass Lowell Hockey team as the River Hawks dropped a 4-1 decision to Northeastern, Saturday afternoon, at a soggy Frozen Fenway Park, in Boston.

The loss drops UMass Lowell's record to 14-6-1 overall and 4-3-0 in Hockey East contests. Northeastern improves to 13-6-3 / 6-4-1. The Huskies also own the tiebreaker if these two teams finish the year tied.

I would like to have seen us capitalize on the opportunities in the first period," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Norm Bazin. "They took advantage in the second period and made us pay. After that we were just chasing them."

The River Hawks fired 20 shots on goal in the first period and had a clear territorial edge, but Northeastern netminder Clay Witt kept the puck out of the cage. UMass Lowell also rang two shots off the post.

Northeastern got on the board first when Braden Pimm scored, 7:22 into the second period, on a two-on-one rush. Pimm held the puck on the right side of the slot and drilled the puck past River Hawk goalie senior Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.)

Mike Szmatula was credited with the lone assist.

The Huskies doubled their lead, on the power play, 1:41 later when defenseman Matt Benning banged home a rebound of a Szmatula shot. Kevin Roy also picked up an assist.

Northeastern made the lead three when Josh Manson scored, shorthanded, also on a two-on-one. The goal at the 15:49 mark was unassisted.

The River Hawks did not fold up and go quietly. Junior defenseman Zack Kamrass (Atlanta, Ga.) took a terrific backhanded pass from senior Joseph Pendenza (Wilmington, Mass.) and snapped the puck under the crossbar and behind Witt.

It was UMass Lowell's 31^st shot of the game, and it was the only one to elude the Northeastern goalie.

The River Hawks brought more pressure in the third period as ice conditions deteriorated the result of mild temperatures, light rain and intense hockey.

"Taking off my gear, I felt five pounds lighter," said a wet and weary Pendenza afterwards. "It was the same for both teams, you have to work hard and stay strong on the puck."

The River Hawks poured 17 third period shots on the Northeastern net, but it was to no avail; the Huskies got the only goal of the period.

Pimm picked up his second goal of the night when he put the puck in the empty net with 2:16 remaining in the game.

The River Hawks outshot Northeastern 48-31 in the game. Witt made 47 saves, Carr made 27.

UMass Lowell returns to action and the Tsongas Center Friday night, at 7:15pm, to host the University of Maine. Boston University visits the Tsongas Center Saturday at 7:00pm.

Northeastern hosts Vermont twice next weekend.