(.PDF) | Postgame Press Conference

LOWELL, Mass. -- Senior defenseman Dylan Zink (Madison, Wis.) notched a pair of goals as the No. 7 UMass Lowell hockey team (9-5-3, 5-3-1 HEA) soared to a 4-1 victory against Merrimack (6-7-3, 1-3-3 HEA) in Hockey East action on Friday night at the Tsongas Center in front of 5,903 fans.
 
"We are very pleased to get the win and in the Hockey East those are tough to come by, " said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "I thought it was a very evenly played hockey game. Thankfully for us we were able to kill off a lot of penalties and use that as momentum."
 
With his assist in the third period, senior forward Joe Gambardella (Staten Island, N.Y.) became the 44th player in program history and 23rd in the Division I era to eclipse the 100 point club. The alternate captain has recorded 36 goals and 64 assists as he is the first River Hawk to join the century club since Joe Pendenza achieved the mark during the 2013-14 season.
 
"Joe Pendenza and Joe Gambardella are two of the best we have ever had here," explain Bazin. "Points are one thing with Joe but they don't really tell the whole story. He's a substance player and when you get one of those they are great in the locker room, they make their teammates better and no matter who you play them with it's a good line."
 
After 41 minutes of scoreless action, Merrimack's Jared Kolquist put his team on the board for his second tally of the season. Forward Brett Seney picked up the helper on the score, as the Warriors jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second frame.
 
Less than 10 minutes later it was the River Hawks turn, as defenseman Dylan Zink (Madison, Wis.) gave his team the equalizer, 1-1, with a wrist shot from just inside the blue line. Forwards Colin O'Neill (Odenton, Md.) and Kenny Hausinger (Anchorage, Alaska) were awarded the helpers after feeding a pair of passes that ended at the stick of Zink who then sent it into the back of the net.
 
The third period saw the remaining three goals, all coming from River Hawks players. The game winner came from forward Ryan Dmowski (East Lyme, Conn.) who one timer give his team the 2-1 lead. UMass Lowell would fail to relinquish that lead thanks to forward C.J. Smith (Des Moines, Iowa) and Zink who each provided an insurance goal as the team soared to a 4-1 victory.
 
Eleven River Hawks posted points in the contest, including multi-point performances from Zink (2g) and Hausinger (2a). Goaltender Tyler Wall (Leamington, Ont.) made 16 stops in the winning effort, while his counterparts combined for 16 saves on the night as well.
 
UMass Lowell will head to Merrimack on Saturday, December 10 in the Hockey East series finale. Game time from Lawler Arena in North Andover, Mass. is 7 p.m. 

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).