Watch Live | Listen Live | Live Stats | Game Notes

An eight goal explosion is good, but consistency is the key.
 
UMass Lowell (3-5-1) looks for consistency when it hosts Princeton (2-3-1) on Saturday afternoon, 4:00pm, at the Tsongas Center.
 
 “We have got to have the same compete levels we had last weekend,” says UMass Lowell hockey coach Norm Bazin. “Princeton is tenacious on offense.”
 
Last Sunday night the River Hawks turned in their strongest offensive showing of the season, an 8-2 victory at Massachusetts. “We were very pleased with the outburst,” says Bazin, “when guys can chip in and get out of their funks, it's a bonus.”
 
Captain senior Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.) and junior Joseph Pendenza (Wilmington, Mass.) keyed the offense.
 
Wetmore found the back of the net three times.  The hat trick was the first by a River Hawk since David Vallorani ('12) scored three times against UMass on Dec. 5, 2009 and the first hat trick on the road since 2005.
 
Wetmore has been on fire.  He has five goals in his last four games.
 
“He's been playing hard hockey, honest hockey,” according to Bazin. “It's nice to see him get rewarded with some goals.”
 
Pendenza added two goals, one shorthanded, and an assist in the Sunday night battle.
 
“It was a pretty goal,” says Bazin speaking of the shorthanded tally.  “Any shorthanded goal is nice and when it comes off a breakaway it's even nicer.”
 
Flying under the radar, but playing terrific hockey, junior Shayne Thompson (Stittsville, Ont.) had two assists in the game and his hard work drew praise from the coach. 
 
“He was a factor,” says Bazin.  “Certainly he has been playing well.  He has been on the puck, good on the forecheck, good at pursuing the puck on the defense.  To see him break out offensively is really good for us.  He has been consistent all year.
 
The eight goal outburst has various effects that are not found in the box score.  “It's amazing what a goal outburst can do for the morale,” says Bazin.  “There's no question the guys are feeling good about themselves and that's important in hockey.  Confidence goes a long way.”
 
The Saturday meeting with Princeton is the first against an ECAC team this season.  The Tigers were picked eleventh in the twelve team league in the preseason coaches' poll, but currently sit fifth.  The Princeton power play is ranked fourth in the country with a 25% success rate.        
 
The two teams have only met seven times in a series that dates to 1988.  UMass Lowell won that first meeting, 9-4, and leads the series 4-3-0, but Princeton has won the last three meetings.
 
For Princeton the game is the second of two during the weekend.  The Tigers play Sacred Heart Friday.
 
UMass Lowell has had success against the ECAC owning a 81-67-10 record all time against the conference, but saw its post-season NCAA playoff run ended by ECAC representative Union.  The River Hawks will play Harvard and Clarkson later in the season.
 
Tickets for all home games are available for public purchase. Game tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors (65+) and children (12 and under). As always, UMass Lowell students receive free admission by scanning their ID as part of the Mission: All In campaign.
 
Tickets can be purchased at the Tsongas Center Box Office, which is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the week. Fans can also purchase tickets online at TsongasCenter.com or by calling 866-722-8780.
 
Season tickets will continue to be on sale through the River Hawk Marketing office and can be purchased by calling 978-934-4988.