(.PDF) | Highlights | Bazin Post-Game Press Conference

LOWELL, Mass. – The No. 4 UMass Lowell men's hockey team (22-10-3, 14-8-1 HEA) dropped a 3-1 decision to New Hampshire (15-18-5, 8-11-4 HEA) in the opening game of the Hockey East Quarterfinals, Friday night at the Tsongas Center in front of 4,403 fans.
 
The River Hawks outshot the Wildcats, 35-12, while sophomore Ryan Dmowski (East Lyme, Conn.) posted a game-high seven shots.
 
"It was a classic example of chasing the game," said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "I thought we dug ourselves in a bit of a hole in the first and we couldn't climb out of it. Our third period was out best period and that is something to build off of for tomorrow. However we will have to be better in other areas."
 
The Wildcats drew blood early, after burying a fast break slap shot, top self, to grab the 1-0 lead. After a UMass Lowell turnover, Shane Eiserman made the most of his one-on-one opportunity, sending his shot over the shoulder of Wall at 7:38 in the first.
 
With four minutes remaining in the first frame, Patrick Grasso poked one home to provide New Hampshire with the 2-0 advantage.
 
Sophomore forward Nick Master (Broomall, Pa.) tallied the River Hawks lone goal of the game, cutting the deficit 2-1 at 12:25 in the second period. Masters deflected an initial shot from senior defenseman Dylan Zink (Madison, Wis.) through traffic and into the back of the net for this four marker of the year. With the helper, Zink notched his 32nd point on the season, good for fifth best in the nation among defensemen.
 
New Hampshire struck for the third time in the contest with an insurance goal nearly 80 seconds later. Marcus Vela's tally gave the Wildcats a two-goal margin, as the team blanked the River Hawks in the remaining minutes to secure the 3-1 win.
 
UMass Lowell will host New Hampshire Saturday, March 11 for game two of the Hockey East Quarterfinals at the Tsongas Center. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. as the River Hawks look to even the score tomorrow night.