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LOWELL, Mass. – The two-time reigning Hockey East Champion UMass Lowell River Hawks began their title defense with a 5-2 victory over the No. 4 ranked Boston College on Friday night in front of 7,326 fans at the Tsongas Center. A three-goal outburst in a 6:46 span of the first period helped turn the tide in favor of the River Hawks.

A record-setting 2,356 students were in attendance to see the River Hawks (1-0-0) unveil their 2014 Hockey East tournament banner.

After the Eagles (0-1-0) took the quick 1-0 lead just 2:26 into the first period, off the stick of Chris Calnan, the River Hawks took over the period and the game.

Evan Campbell (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) scored the first UMass Lowell goal of the season from A.J. White (Dearborn, Mich.) and Zacsh Kamrass (Atlanta, Ga.). Less than 4:15 later, Michael Fallon (Glenview, Ill.) scored the first power play goal of the season off an assist from Joe Gambardella (Staten Island, N.Y.).
Michael Louria (Wexford, Pa.) scored his first career goal with 5:17 remaining in the period to end the scoring. C.J. Smith found Louria to the left of the crease to put home the opportunity.

Both teams had three shots on target at the 10-minute mark, and the period ended with the River Hawks holding a 10-6 advantage. With 4:06 remaining in the second period, Boston College threatened to cut the deficit to one goal, but Noah Hanifin was called for an interference penalty. The Eagles killed off the penalty and with 1:41 left until intermission Ryan Fitzgerald scored to get the visitors within 3-2.

The middle 20 minutes ended with the River Hawks outshooting Boston College 20-12 overall.  Within the first few minutes of the third period, Boston College almost tied up the game but again the UMass Lowell defense responded, clearing the puck off the goal line.

The River Hawks regained their two-goal lead with a Robert Francis (San Diego, Calif.) shot coming from a pass from Ryan McGrath (O'Fallon, Mo.) with 12:12 remaining until the final horn. Gambardella ended the scoring with an empty net goal at 19:22.

Kevin Boyle (Manalapan, N.J.) capped off his UMass Lowell debut with two big point-blank saves on Steve Santini and Adam Gilmour to keep the Eagle deficit at two with 4:39 remaining. Boyle earned his first River Hawk win while recording 19 saves. The River Hawks outshot the visitors, 24-21, Gambardella had a team-high four shots. Kamrass dished out two assists. Thatcher Demko made 19 saves as well, and Hanifin led the team with four shots. The Eagles went 0-for-2 on the power play, and the River Hawks went 1-for-4.

The River Hawks return to action on Friday, October 17 against Quinnipiac University at the Tsongas Center. Game time is 7:15 p.m.

Tickets for all River Hawks home hockey games are on sale now. Game tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+) and military, and $12 and children (12 and under). 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, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the week. Fans can also purchase tickets online at TsongasCenter.com or by calling 866-722-8780.The UMass Lowell Athletic Department is also selling season, mini-pack and group tickets at this time. Packages can be purchased online at TsongasCenter.com or by contacting Christine Maurais (christine_maurais@uml.edu; 978-934-2181) or Jocelyn Prieto (jocelyn_prieto@uml.edu; 978-934-5751).