Seventh-ranked UMass Lowell surrendered three first period goals to # 12/13 Merrimack en route to a 5-2 loss at the Lawler Arena on Friday night. Senior Matt Ferreira (Brampton, Ont.) and sophomore Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego, Calif.) scored the lone goals for the River Hawks.

The loss drops UMass Lowell to 20-10-0 on the season and 15-9-0 in Hockey East play, while the Warriors improve to 16-9-6 overall and 12-8-4 in conference action. The season series between the clubs is now tied at 1-1-0.

The Warriors captured the game's first lead, scoring at 6:50 into the first period. Merrimack's Rhett Bly (Regina, Sask.) knocked the puck loose from goaltender Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.) behind the net and Elliott Sheen (Lethbridge, Alta.) potted the turnover for his third goal of the year.

The deficit grew larger a few moments later as the Warriors scored again. Kyle Bigos (Upland, Calif.) buried a slap shot from the top of the far circle at 8:08.

Merrimack pushed its lead to 3-0 late in the first with a rebound tally on the power play from Jeff Velleca (Waterbury, Conn.). Karl Stollery's (Camrose, Alta.) shot from the far point was stopped by Carr, but Velleca got the rebound around Carr's outstretched leg pad for the goal.

The River Hawks nearly broke the shutout midway through the second period as a one-timer from the near point by William Eiserman (West Newbury, Mass.) found daylight, but rang off the post at 9:10.

The Warriors struck again just 22 seconds into the third period on a rebound goal from Ryan Flanigan (Rochester, N.Y.). Carr stymied Velleca's shot, by Flanigan knocked in the rebound, back-handing the puck over the leg pad.

UMass Lowell finally broke through on the scoreboard with a power play goal at 6:31 into the third period. Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.) won the faceoff back to Derek Arnold (Foxboro, Mass.) at the point, who then shifted a pass to Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego, Calif.) for the one-timer into the net.

Merrimack answered right back with another goal just over a minute later as Velleca buried a turnover in the River Hawks' zone.

UMass Lowell cut the lead to three again at 5-2, late in the third period. Terrence Wallin (Yardley, Pa.) passed to Shayne Thompson (Stittsville, Ont.) at the point for the slap shot that was tipped by Matt Ferreira (Brampton, Ont.) into the back of the net at 15:11.

It was a tough night in net for UMass Lowell as starter Carr surrendered four goals on 28 shots, falling to 19-7-0 on the year. His replacement, Marc Boulanger (Olds, Alta.), totaled seven saves and allowed one goal in relief. Merrimack's Joe Cannata (Wakefield, Mass.) made just 17 saves, but walked away with his 15^th goal of the year. UMass Lowell finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Warriors were 1-for-3 with the man advantage.

The two clubs will lace up the skates again on Saturday, playing the final game of the season series.