Box Score

UMass Lowell scored four power play goals from four different players as it defeated the University of Vermont, 6-3, Saturday night in a Hockey East clash at the Gutterson Fieldhouse.

With the win, UMass Lowell extended its winning streak to seven games as it improved to 11-7-1 overall and 5-6-1 in Hockey East (sixth place) entering Thursday's home game against Providence (7:05).

Vermont slipped to 6-11-4 overall and 3-8-4 (seventh place).

UMass Lowell's output marked the second time in three years it scored four power play goals as they capitalized on 11 Catamount penalties (while being whistled for five). The River Hawks struck for four in an 8-4 victory over Bentley on Jan. 25, 2011.

The River Hawks also killed off all five Vermont power plays, extending their streak to 32 straight penalties and 38 of 39 without conceding a goal (The school record is believed to be 51 without allowing a power play goal, achieved in 1998-99).

Sophomore F Scott Wilson (Oakville, Ont.) scored one goal and dished two assists – making for three goals and two assists on the weekend – while senior Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.) and juniors Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego, Calif.) and Joe Pendenza (Wilmington, Mass.) each had one goal and one assist.

UMass Lowell had built a 4-1 lead shortly into the third period until Vermont scored two goals 4:14 apart – sophomore Kyle Reynolds and freshman D Caylen Walls the providers – to close the gap to 4-3.

Ruhwedel, however, quelled the fightback at 16:02 as he drove down the left side, crossed the crease and wristed past freshman G Billy Faust, who replaced freshman Brody Hoffman a 3:09 into the third period.

Sophomore Terrence Wallin (Yardley, Pa.) scored an empty net goal while being hauled down to cap the scoring at 18:33.

Junior G Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.) stopped 28 shots and rode a shutout 14:11 into the second period to improve to 6-6-1.

Vermont outshot UMass Lowell, 31-24. Hoffman had 15 saves while Faust stopped three shots.

Sophomore F Stephen Buco (North Providence, R.I.) opened the scoring for UMass Lowell 16:57 into the first period when he deflected home a slapshot from the right point from freshman F Ryan McGrath (O'Fallon, Mo.).

The goal came shortly after UMass Lowell's streak of 27 straight penalty kills was put to the test with 1:38 of a 5 on 3 Vermont advantage. The River Hawks came out unscathed, however, behind four saves from Carr as well as three blocks by the UMass Lowell defense.

The River Hawks doubled their lead 5:47 into the second following a series of Vermont penalties. Wilson shoveled to Wetmore from the corner, who then faked a shot and hit junior F Joe Pendenza (Wilmington, Mass.) in the slot, who clinically finished.

Vermont pulled a goal back at 14:11 as freshman F Robert Polesello hit senior F Brett Bruneteau from behind the net with Bruneteau providing the one-time finish to Carr's left side.

Wetmore, the Vermont native perhaps making his final appearance at Gutterson Fieldhouse, gave UMass Lowell a 3-1 lead at 18:42 when he possessed a failed clearance in the slot, and bided his time before beating Hoffman on the short side.

Wilson scored his third of the weekend 3:09 into the final period when he ran down the puck along the boards, skated into the slot and rifled a shot off the right pipe.