(.PDF) | Highlights | Postgame Interview

LOWELL, Mass. – The No. 9 ranked UMass Lowell Hockey team (19-9-3, 11-7-1 HEA) took down Massachusetts (5-23-2, 2-15-1 HEA), 4-2, in Hockey East action Saturday night in front of 6,244 fans at the Tsongas Center.
 
With the win, UMass Lowell wins its its sixth consecutive Alumni Cup and 17th in the last 23 years, after beating the Minutemen, 2-1, on January 14 in the first meeting of the season series. The Alumni Cup is awarded to the winner of a three-game series between Massachusetts and UMass Lowell, the only Division I hockey programs in the University of Massachusetts State System.
 
"Tonight proves how difficult Hockey East can be," said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "It was a good check for our guys and I am very proud of them. I am proud of our senior class for winning the Alumni Cup for the fourth year, that is a very special feat. It was a tough game tonight and it was good, we had a lot of urgency tonight."
 
Junior forward C.J. Smith (Des Moines, Iowa) had a hand in the first three River Hawk goals for a game-high three points (3a), while posting his 10th multi-point game of the year.
 
Senior defenseman Dylan Zink (Madison, Wis.) broke open the scoring at 12:30 with a top shelf wrist flick for his 10th score of the season. Zink currently ranks third among the nation's defensemen and second in the Hockey East scoring with 27 points (9g, 18a).
 
The Minutemen soon knotted the score, 1-1, just 78 seconds later thanks to Niko Hildenbrand who poked one past Wall for the equalizer. The River Hawks outshot their opponents in a hefty 18-7 margin despite skating to a tie after 20 minutes of play.
 
UMass Lowell regained a 2-1 lead half way through the second period, following a senior defenseman Michael Kapla (Eau Claire, Wis.) power play slap shot from the blue line. Massachusetts fought back to tie the score once more at 14:48 with a one-timer into the back of the net, making it 2-2.
 
The River Hawks notched a pair of goals in the final period to secure the teams 4-2 victory. Senior forward Joe Gambardella (Staten Island, N.Y.) put home the game winner at 11:07 after collecting a loose rebound and sliding it past the pads of UMass' goalie. With nearly five minutes remaining, sophomore forward Connor Wilson (Calgary, Alberta) added an insurance goal on a power play opportunity as the home team picked up the 4-2 win.
 
Freshman goaltender Tyler Wall (Leamington, Ont.) collected 16 saves on the night, while his counterpart Alex Wakaluk made 35 saves in the contest.
 
UMass Lowell returns to action on Saturday, February 18 at Massachusetts. Saturdays tilt will conclude the conference series and puck drop is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. from the Mullins Center in Amherst, Mass.