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HARTFORD, Conn. – The No. 3 ranked UMass Lowell Hockey team skated to a 2-2 tie against UConn on Saturday afternoon in Hockey East play at the XL Center in the series finale.

With the tie, the River Hawks stand at 8-5-3 overall (4-3-1 HEA), while the Huskies move to 5-6-6 overall (3-3-2 HEA).

"It was a very competitive hockey game on both sides," said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "I was happy with our effort  after last night, I wasn't thrilled with our effort last night as a 60-minute game. Today we avoided any sustained lulls and we won the special teams battle."

The teams skated to a scoreless opening period with UConn outshooting the River Hawks by a 13-6 margin.

UConn's Spencer Naas opening the scoring in the game with his seventh tally of the season at 6:33 of the second frame. Senior defenseman Michael Kapla (Eau Claire, Wis.) notched his first goal of the season for the River Hawks to tie the game at 1-1 less than two minutes later on a power play tally. The Huskies tied the game with 1:03 left in the middle stanza on Karl El-Mir's sixth goal of the year to even the score at 2-2. ­

Freshman goaltender Garrett Metcalf (Salt Lake City, Utah) earned his first collegiate start for the River Hawks and finished the day with 34 saves, which included 12 saves in the first and third periods. Adam Huska notched 34 stops in his eighth start of the year for the Huskies in the tie.

Senior forward Joe Gambardella (Staten Island, N.Y.) notched two assists for the River Hawks in the game to bring his career point total to 99 in 125 career contests.

Junior forward C.J. Smith (Des Moines, Iowa) notched a game-high six shots on goal for the River Hawks. Freshman forward Ryan Lohin (Chadds Ford, Pa.) led the way for UMass Lowell in the faceoff circle winning 13-of-17 (76%). 

Both teams notched 36 shots on goal in the game, with the River Hawks holding a 17-11 shot advantage in the second period. The River Hawks were a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.

UMass Lowell returns to action on Friday, December 9^th against Merrimack College in Hockey East play. Game time from the Tsongas Center is 7:15 p.m. The team will wear their commemorative 50^th anniversary third jerseys against the Warriors.

Tickets for all River Hawks home hockey games are on sale now. UMass Lowell students receive free admission by scanning their ID as part of the "River Hawk Rewards" 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).