STORRS, Conn. – Sophomore forward Zach Kaiser (Orangeville, Ontario) notched a late third period goal to help propel the No.17 UMass Lowell hockey team to its first victory of the 2020-21 season against Connecticut on Monday night at the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum.
 
The River Hawks improved their record to 1-1-0 overall (1-1-0 HEA), while the Huskies fall to 1-3-1 overall (1-3-1 HEA).

"It was a good, evenly played hockey game," commented head coach Norm Bazin. "Both teams made you earn your chances, and it took one last shot for someone to win it. It was certainly a typical Lowell/UConn matchup we've seen over the last few years." 

Sophomore forward Carl Berglund (Hammaro, Sweden) struck early for the River Hawks on a power play, tallying his first goal of the season only seven minutes into the first frame, which beat UConn goalie Tomas Vomacka right-side off a wrist shot from the faceoff. Junior duo Reid Stefanson (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Chase Blackmun (Hudson, Wis.) each assisted on the goal.
 
UConn's Carter Turnbull evened the game at 1-1 for the Huskies on a power play opportunity of their own with 4:11 remaining in the second stanza for his second tally of the year.
 
Kaiser's go-ahead goal would come at 2:50 of the final stretch, as the sophomore snuck a pass from fellow classmate Matt Brown (Wood Ridge, N.J.) to bury the puck deep into the left corner.
 
Freshman goaltender Henry Welsch (Lakeville, Minn.) made 31 saves in his first career start for the River Hawks. UConn's Vomacka totaled 24 stops in the losing effort.
 
Junior forward Lucas Condotta (Georgetown, Ontario) won a game-high nine faceoffs in the winning effort for the visitors. 10 different River Hawks registered at least one block for a season-high of 14.
 
The River Hawks return to action on Saturday, December 26th vs. Massachusetts. Game time from the Tsongas Center is 6 p.m.