Nov. 2, 2010

Box Score

UMass Lowell hockey got behind early and was unable to overcome a four-goal deficit in Tuesday's 5-2 loss at #4 Boston College. Goaltender Marc Boulanger (Olds, Alta.) made 25 saves in the losing effort.

The River Hawks' fourth consecutive loss drops their record to 1-5-2 overall and 1-5-0 in Hockey East action. The defending National Champion Eagles improved to 5-2-0 on the campaign and 3-1-0 in conference contests.

Boston College got the game started with a goal at 10:08 into the first from Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass.). Kevin Hayes (Dorchester, Mass.) set up Kreider in the far circle and the sophomore forward roofed the shot over Boulanger's shoulder.

The Eagles extended their lead to 2-0 as the first period came to a close. Cam Atkinson (Greenwich, Conn.) took a shot at the blue line that weaved through traffic and past Boulanger with just 13 seconds remaining.

The River Hawks' struggles continued as Boston College scored again at 4:50 into the second period. The Eagles held a man advantaged after Maury Edwards (Rocky Rapids, Alta.) was whistled for cross-checking and Boston College used only six seconds of the power play. Atkinson sniped a shot from the near circle shortly after the face-off for his second goal of the game and sixth of the season.

A stroke of good luck turned bad later in the middle frame as a Patrick Wey (Pittsburgh, Penn.) penalty put UMass Lowell on the power play. Despite the short-handed situation, Boston College collected a turnover and buried its fourth goal of the game off the stick of Jimmy Hayes (Dorchester, Mass.) at 8:54. It marked the third short-handed goal the River Hawks have surrendered this season.

UMass Lowell broke through on the scoreboard just seconds later as Derek Arnold (Foxboro, Mass.) netted a one-timer from Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.) positioned behind the net. The power play score at 9:03 was Arnold's second goal of the year.

Suddenly carrying momentum, the River Hawks potted another goal at 10:04 and cut the Eagles' lead to 4-2. Breaking into the Boston College zone with speed, Josh Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, Colo.) put a shot on net and the rebound kicked to trailer Matt Ferreira (Brampton, Ont.) for a nearly uncontested score. Ferreira's goal was his first of the season and capped a wild four score period that swung the game from dire to competitive in a span of six minutes.

The third period proved anti-climatic as the score didn't budge until Kreider scored on an empty River Hawk net with 54 seconds left to seal the game, 5-2.

Boulanger was strong between the pipes, turning away 25-of-29 shots as he fell to 0-3-1 on the season. The Eagles' John Muse (East Falmouth, Mass.) was largely idle, making just 15 saves in the win to improve to 4-1-0. UMass Lowell finished 1-for-8 on the power play while Boston College was 1-for-5.

The River Hawks now turn their attention to a pair of tough HE home games this weekend. Vermont visits the Tsongas Center on Friday, followed by New Hampshire on Saturday--both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.