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PURCHASE TICKETS FOR HEA QUARTERFINALS | HOCKEY EAST TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Senior defenseman Joe Houk (Richboro, Pa.) scored with 15 seconds left in overtime to propel the No. 7 ranked UMass Lowell hockey team to a 1-0 victory against No. 17 Vermont at Gutterson Fieldhouse on Friday night in Hockey East play.

Houk scored with a wrist shot from the right slot, beating Vermont goaltender Brody Hoffman high glove side on a feed from freshman Chris Maniccia (St. Catharines, Ont.) and sophomore Ryan McGrath (O'Fallon, Mo.). The game-winner for Houk is his second in the last three contests for the River Hawks. Three of Houk's four goals this season have been game winners.

With the victory, the River Hawks lock up the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Hockey East tournament and clinch home ice in the Hockey East best of three quarterfinal round, which begin on Friday, March 14th at the Tsongas Center. UMass Lowell improves to 21-8-4 overall on the season and 11-5-3 in Hockey East play, while Vermont falls to 17-12-3 overall (9-10-0 HEA).

Sophomore goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce, Mich.) notched 25 saves for his 10th career shutout, which tied a school record held by Carter Hutton (2006-10). He now has four shutouts on the season for the River Hawks. Hellebuyck upped his record to 13-6-2 in his 21st start of the season for UMass Lowell. Sophomore Brody Hoffman recorded 29 saves in the losing effort for the Catamounts.

UMass Lowell and Vermont headed to the locker room scoreless after the second period. The River Hawks came out flying to start the second period, outshooting UVM by a 5-2 edge in the first five minutes of action.

The teams skated to a scoreless first period, as UMass Lowell held an 8-5 shot advantage with one power play opportunity. Hellebuyck had several terrifc saves, including shots by Chris McCarthy, Connor Brickley and Anthony DeCenzo.

The River Hawks conclude the Hockey East regular-season on Saturday, March 1st at Vermont. Game time from Gutterson Fieldhouse is 7pm.