Nov. 12, 2011

Box Score

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Sophomore Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego, Calif.)scored the game-winning goal with 34 seconds remaining in regulation to lift UMass Lowell over Maine, 4-3, on Saturday night in the Alfond Arena.

Coupled with Friday's 5-3 win, the River Hawks completed a weekend sweep of the Black Bears in Orono, ME for the first time since Feb. 8-9, 1985. It is just the second time in program history.

UMass Lowell improves to 5-3-0 on the campaign, matching its 2010-11 win total, and 3-2-0 in Hockey East action. Maine drops to 3-6-1 overall and 3-5-0 in conference play.

The Black Bears captured the game's first lead at 12:17 into the opening period. Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) ripped a shot from the left point that Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) tipped past Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.)for his fourth goal of the season.

Maine extended that lead in the second period on a flashy power play goal by Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine) at 14:01. A short clear by the River Hawks allowed Anthoine to enter UMass Lowell's zone with a two-on-one advantage at the blue line. The sophomore forward skated to the net, faked left and slid the puck between Carr's legs for the score.

The River Hawks finally clawed their way onto the scoreboard in the third. On a power play, Matt Ferreira (Brampton, Ont.) passed down the boards to David Vallorani (Hamilton, Ont.). Surveying the ice, Vallorani dished to Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.)in the slot for a goal at 5:08.

Wetmore scored again at 8:01, capitalizing on a five-on-three advantage. Derek Arnold (Foxboro, Mass.)collected a pass from Ruhwedel in close and put a shot on the far side. The shot slipped past Dan Sullivan (York, Penn.), but hit the post allowing Wetmore to tap in the rebound for his sixth goal of the year.

UMass Lowell scored its third goal in four minutes on a coast-to-coast power play goal by freshman Scott Wilson (Oakville, Ont.)at 9:00. Wilson picked up a clear in the River Hawk zone, carried through neutral ice and blew by defenders on his way to the net. A slick move drew the goaltender out and Wilson went top-shelf to give UMass Lowell its first lead of the game.

The Black Bears erased that lead at 11:52 on a Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) power play tally. Diamond converted from O'Neill and Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ont.). With time winding down in the contest, the game appeared destined for overtime. Abbott peppered Carr with a shot that was kicked to the corner and picked up by Joseph Pendenza (Wilmington, Mass.). Pendenza hit Ruhwedel streaking through neutral ice and into the Maine zone. Ruhwedel carried down to the net, held the shot until Sullivan committed and then burned the goaltender glove side for the game-winner.

As UMass Lowell held on for the win, Carr improved to 4-1-0 on the year while making a season-high 31 saves. The Black Bears' Sullivan turned away 23-of-27 shots while falling to 2-3-1 overall.

Both teams were dominant on the power play as UMass Lowell converted on three of five chances and Maine scored twice in three opportunities.

Up next for the River Hawks is a trip to Durham, NH to face the Wildcats on Friday night before hosting Massachusetts on Saturday.