(.PDF) | Photo Gallery | Highlights

LOWELL, Mass. - Behind freshman Jeff Smith's (Maple Ridge, B.C.) 26 saves and Michael Kapla's (Eau Claire, Wisc.) third period shorthanded goal, the No. 7 UMass Lowell hockey team defeated the Michigan State Spartans, 2-1, on Saturday evening at the Tsongas Center in front of 5,335 fans on Homecoming Weekend.

With the game tied 1-1 early in the third period the River Hawks took the 2-1 lead on Kapla's third goal of the season just 57 seconds into the frame. Adam Chapie (Oxford, Mich.) stick handled through the right circle and fed Kapla with a cross-ice pass. After a little hesitation move, Kapla let go a wrist shot top shelf stick-side past Jake Hildebrand. The goal was UMass Lowell's first shorthanded goal of the season and Kapla's third on the year.

"I thought we were able to sure up some areas of concern from last night, special teams played a big part in that and I was glad to see some new guys give us some energy in the lineup," said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "It's nice to see them respond, it's one of those tests that you have to pass to keep progessing and developing as a team, nothing came easy, two good teams and a lot of opportunistic plays. I thought Jeff (Smith) made some solid saves in the third period. I thought our sticks were much better today, we closed off a lot of passing lanes in the neutral zone and I thought the energy on the bench was much better."

Early on the Spartans' had a chance to take control going on a 5-on-3 advantage within the first seven minutes of the game, but the River Hawks' power play kill stood up to the challenge and kept the game scoreless.

UMass Lowell took the 1-0 lead on a power play of its own with 9:02 remaining in the period. Dylan Zink (Madison, Wis.) stole the puck in the offensive zone and slid it under Hildebrand. The goal was the second of Zink's career after he scored his first career goal last night.

Smith, in his first career start, made a couple of key saves including one on Travis Walsh during a Michigan State power play in the fourth minute of the second period.

The Spartans' Mackenzie MacEachern hit the post with just over 11 minutes left in the second period, but Smith was quick to react and tie up the loose puck.

The visitors finally got on the board at 14:24 of the second period, Ron Boyd struck with a high backhand in front of Smith.
Smith then responded a couple of minutes later on a nice breakaway save on Matt DeBlouw.

With the clock winding down in the game and a 4-on-4 situation, the young goalie stood tall and made one of his biggest saves of the night with a sliding glove save on Thomas Ebbing to keep the lead intact.
Michigan State then had two point-blank opportunities with 37 seconds left and one again Smith shut the door.

The Spartans outshot the River Hawks 27-22, and Hildebrand made 20 saves. A.J. White (Dearborn, Mich.) had a game-high five shots, and Boyd had four for the visitors along with Matt Berry.

UMass Lowell had the only power play goal, going 1-for-4, and held Michigan State scoreless on six attempts.

The River Hawks are off until Halloween when they face off with the New Hampshire Wildcats at Whittemore Center in Durham, N.H. at 7 p.m.