Dec. 7, 2011
WUML Radio | B2 Network | Game Notes
On the heels of its first appearance in the national ranking since Mar. 8, 2010, #18 UMass Lowell will put its four-game winning streak on the line in a split Hockey East weekend. The River Hawks host #3 Boston College on Friday night in the Tsongas Center and visit Northeastern on Saturday at Matthews Arena.
Tickets for Friday are available now through the Tsongas Center Box Office, www.TsongasCenter.com or by calling 866-722-8780.
Friday's game will be highlighted by a replica jersey giveaway for the first 1,000 fans, courtesy of SBLI. The insurance company will also be raffling off a Nintendo Wii with Sports Resort package to one lucky fan.
UMass Lowell (9-4-0, 6-3-0 HE) picked up four points in the conference standings with a sweep of New Hampshire in a home-and-home series last weekend. Friday's 3-2 victory came in front of a record crowd of 6,826 in the Tsongas Center, while Saturday's 5-3 win was the program's first in the Whittemore Center since 2003.
Leading the charge last weekend, seniors Matt Ferreira (Brampton, Ont.) and David Vallorani (Hamilton, Ont.) each scored two goals and an assist. The duo was also responsible for the game-winning goals each night.
For the year, Ferreira is tied for the team-lead with 14 points on seven goals and seven assists, while potting three game-winning tallies. Vallorani is also excelling with 10 points (4g, 6a), inching closer to the century barrier with 95 career points.
Also with a notable performance, freshman Terrence Wallin (Yardley, Pa.) was named the HE Rookie of the Week following a three-point weekend (1g, 2a). It is the second time this season Wallin received the honor, with the first coming on Oct. 17.
In net, the River Hawks are led by sophomore Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.), who ranks fifth in the NCAA in both save percentage (.935) and goals against average (1.78). Carr (8-1-0) is riding a seven-game winning streak dating back to Nov. 5.
The Eagles (12-5-0, 9-3-0 HE) enter Friday with consecutive wins over #11 Boston University and #20 Providence. The game will mark Boston College's final contest before a 20-day holiday break.
Leading the Eagles is junior forward Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass.) with 22 points on 12 goals and 10 assists. Sophomore Bill Arnold (Needham, Mass.) has also packed a punch this year with 19 points (10g, 9a).
In the weekend's second game, Northeastern (6-7-2, 3-7-2 HE) enters play red-hot after winning five in a row, including a sweep of then-second ranked Notre Dame in the Compton Family Ice Arena.
Junior Steve Quailer (Arvada, Colo.) leads the way for the Huskies with 15 points (5g, 10a), while goaltender Chris Rawlings (North Delta, B.C.) has been among hockey's elite with a .931 save percentage and 2.32 goals against average.
