Box Score
Freshman forward Scott Wilson (Oakville, Ont.) scored two goals, including the game-winner, to lead #6 UMass Lowell past #2 Boston University on Saturday night in the Agganis Arena.
The River Hawks improved to 20-9-0 overall this season and 15-8-0 in Hockey East action. UMass Lowell recorded its first 20-win season since 2008-09. The Terriers dropped to 18-11-1 on the year and 14-8-1 in conference play.
The game started with a bang as Boston University won the opening face-off and burst into UMass Lowell's territory. Chris Connolly (Duluth, Minn.) carried down the near wing and crossed a pass to Alex Chiasson (St. Augustin, Que.) for the one-timer, but was stonewalled by a sliding Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.) for the save.
The River Hawks quickly cashed in with the game's first goal in the third minute of play. In the Terriers' zone, Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.) chased down a loose puck to the boards and back-handed a pass to Wilson. Wilson spun around and ripped a shot over the glove of Kieran Millan (Edmonton, Alta.) for his 14th goal of the season.
Boston University responded in the second period with a goal by Ross Gaudet (Burlington, Mass.) at 5:03. Yasin Cisse (Westmount, Que.) centered a pass from the far boards and Gaudet used a short swing to send the puck into the mesh.
UMass Lowell answered back before the period was over after a five-minute major put the River Hawks on an extended power play. Collecting a pass from Wetmore at the point, defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego, Calif.) fired a shot from the blue line that was tipped in by Wilson just outside the crease at 12:17.
The lead ballooned to two goals in the closing moments of the second during four-on-four hockey. David Vallorani (Hamilton, Ont.) and Ruhwedel cycled the puck to Daniel Furlong (Stoneham, Mass.) at the near point. Furlong's shot hit a Terrier in front and deflected into the net for Furlong's third goal of the season.
UMass Lowell kept up the pressure in the third, scoring another goal at 9:02. Furlong picked up his own rebound behind the net and found Ruhwedel in the slot for a wrist shot that beat Millan.
Boston University wouldn't let the night slip away, scoring a power play goal to cut the lead to two goals at 12:52. Max Nicastro (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) fired from long range into a crowd, but the puck found space and eventually the back of the net. The score pushed the Terriers streak to 13 consecutive games with a power play goal.
Despite the late push, the Terriers couldn't get any closer as the River Hawks walked away with the 4-2 victory.
Carr was stellar in net, stopping 39-of-41 shots and improving to 19-6-0 on the season. The sophomore backstopped made 21 saves in the third period to hold onto the win. Boston University's Millan made 25 saves and allowed four goals before exiting the game in favor of Grant Rollheiser (Chilliwack, B.C.), who made one save over the final eight minutes.
The River Hawks, now in sole possession of second place in Hockey East, will play a home-and-home with Merrimack College next weekend. The Terriers travel to Vermont for a pair of games.
