Jan. 10, 2009

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Maury Edwards (Rocky Rapids, Alta.) had a goal and an assist, but Providence College defeated UMass Lowell, 4-2, Saturday night in Hockey East action at Schneider Arena.

The Friars have won two straight and improve to 4-12-1 overall and 1-8-1 in league play. The River Hawks have lost six in a row and fall to 8-11-0 overall and 5-7-0 against the League.

John Cavanagh (Warwick, R.I.) led all scorers with two goals in the game, including netting the game-winner at 14:46 of the third period.

David Cavanagh (Warwick, R.I.) and Matt Taormina (Washington Township, Mich.) each had two assists for the Friars.

Edwards led the River Hawks' attack with a goal and an assist, his sixth career multi-point game.

After a scoreless first period the two teams combined for three second period goals. Cavanagh scored the first of his two tallies at 5:46 of the period. Edwards answered at 9:02, his sixth of the season, on the power play.

Pierce Norton (South Boston, Mass.) broke the tie and gave Providence its second lead of the contest at 11:28 of the second on a power play.

The River Hawks battled back as Mike Potacco (Kinnelon, N.J.) scored the equalizer just one minute, 20 seconds into the third period.

But John Cavanagh answered with the game-winning goal at the 14:46 mark of the third period, his second goal of the game and seventh of the season.

Kyle MacKinnon (Walnut, Calif.) added an empty net goal for the Friars at 19:59 of the third for the 4-2 victory.

Alex Beaudry (Cumberland, Ont.) made 19 saves for Providence in his first career game and start. The freshman netminder made eight first period stops.

Carter Hutton (Thunder Bay, Ont.) lost his fourth straight decision to fall to 2-6-0 on the season. Hutton made 23 saves, including nine in each the first and second periods.

Each team scored a power play goal in the game. The Friars went 1-for-6 with 12 shots. The River Hawks were 1-for-3 with three shots on the man-advantage.

Providence out-shot UMass Lowell in each period, including 11-7 in the second period, and 27-21 for the game.

"We started really well and had some really good opportunities in the first 10 minutes of the game," said UMass Lowell head coach Blaise MacDonald. "Then we got a power play and played really soft and flat after that. Its one of those games where it's very difficult to play catch-up. We need to look to our point producers. Right now we're not getting enough production from those guys.

"I want to give Providence a lot of credit. They played smart, hard and determined. Their goaltender made some really big saves; he kept them in the game. It was a good win for Providence."

The River Hawks return to the ice Friday night when they travel to Boston College. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Conte Forum. The Friars are next in action Tuesday night when they travel to Boston University (7:00 p.m.).