LOWELL, Mass. -- The No. 18 Providence Friars used a three-goal second period to defeat the No. 5 UMass Lowell hockey team, 7-3, Friday night at the Tsongas Center in front of 6,750 fans.

"It was a very difficult hockey game for us, we played as poorly as we have in a long time. For me to explain to you why I have no idea, back home after a month and a half," said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "We were easy to play against. I'm disappointed in our effort, I'm disappointed in our game plan, and it goes right down the line. It was a team loss."

The Friars (15-8-1, 7-5 Hockey East) struck first on a power play goal from Noel Acciari with 9:14 remaining in the first period. John Gilmour sent in a shot and Acciari put home the puck in the middle of a scrum.

Providence added its second and third goals just 62 seconds apart in the second period. Trevor Mingoia put home a perfectly placed rebound off of a shot from Jake Walman at 7:54 on the clock. Brandon Tanev added to the lead at 6:52 when Acciari set him up in front of an open net.

The River Hawks (15-6-3, 8-3-2 Hockey East) got onto the board at 11:46 on the second period on Michael Fallon's (Glenview, Ill.) fifth goal of the season. With UMass Lowell having possession deep in the Friar zone, the junior posted up at the left post and had an open net to put home Adam Chapie's (Oxford, Mich.) pass.

Providence regained its three-goal cushion with 1:39 remaining in the second period. Steven McParland had his original shot saved by Kevin Boyle (Manalapan, N.J.), but poked home the rebound from his knees.

C.J. Smith (Des Moines, Iowa) gave the River Hawks momentum going into the third period as his rocket from the point crossed the goal line with .6 seconds on the clock to cut the deficit to 4-2. The freshman's team-leading 10th goal was assisted by Joe Gambardella (Staten Island, N.Y.).

The Friars scored their second power play goal of the game five minutes into the third to make it 5-2, off a rocket by Nick Saracino. Mingoia scored his second goal to make it 6-2 on the power play at 9:44.

Smith scored his second for the River Hawks with 7:47 remaining in the third, putting home his own rebound on the stick side of Jon Gillies. For the second consecutive game, the freshman tied a career-high with two goals in a game, and fourth time this season.

Kapla also tied his career-high with two assists in a game, marking the fourth time he's accomplished the feat.

Providence went 3-for-3 on the power play, while the hosts went 0-for-3.

Boyle made 20 saves on 25 shots, and Olli Kalkaja made his River Hawk debut making four saves on five shots. In net for the Friars, Gillies made 24 saves on 27 shots.

The teams will wrap up their home-and-home series tomorrow night at the Schneider Arena, puck drop is set for 7 p.m.