UMass Lowell sophomore Forward C. J. Smith (Des Moines, Iowa,) who has a five point weekend as the River Hawks swept a weekend series from Arizona State, has been named the Warrior Hockey East Player of the Week and was named the River Hawk of the Week. "CJ Smith was strong offensively this past weekend." said UMass Lowell Head Coach Norm Bazin. "He continues to develop his game at the college level and we are excited to see him contribute consistently. He is an important piece to our team."
Smith had a five point (4g, 1a) weekend in UMass Lowell's first ever games against the Sun Devils. He picked up a goal and an assist in Friday's Weekend opener, a 4-1 River Hawk win. He set up the River Hawks third goal late in the first period and scored the team's fourth goal to put the game out of reach early in the second period.
Smith followed that with a "cycle" hat trick in the 8-1 UMass Lowell win on Saturday night. His first goal came shorthanded and gave the River Hawks a 4-1 lead late in the second period. His power play goal, mid way through the third period, blew the game open at 5-1 and his even strength goal completed the hat trick and upped the score to 7-1.
The hat trick was the first of the season by a UMass Lowell skater and the "cycle" hat trick was the first by a River Hawk since Ed McGrane pulled the trick in 2002.
Four of Smith's five points during the weekend came on special teams; three came on the power play. Eleven of his team leading 28 points (13g, 15a) have come with the man advantage. The shorthanded goal was Smith's second of the season, the only short-handed goals scored by the River Hawks.
Smith has been nothing if not consistent. He has scored points in 16 of the River Hawks 25 games and has 27 points (12g, 15a) in UMass Lowell's last twenty games.
The "River Hawk of the Week" is chosen in voting by the UMass Lowell Athletic Communications staff. It honors the top athlete, male or female, based on performance during the previous week of competition. Because of the unique accomplishment the staff chose to give the honor to the entire team.
