PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The UMass Lowell ice hockey team (7-16-2, 3-10-1 Hockey East) fell just short, 4-3, in a hard-fought overtime matchup at Providence (14-7-2, 7-4-2 Hockey East) on Saturday evening at Schneider Arena.
 
In his first collegiate game, sophomore Roc Truman (Lethbridge, Alberta) scored his first collegiate goal in the second period off passes from graduate student Filip Fornåå Svensson (Linköping, Sweden) and junior Isac Jonsson (Ängelholm, Sweden). Fornåå Svensson also potted a goal, giving him two points on the night, while junior Owen Cole (Dunnville, Ontario) scored his sixth goal in his last seven games. Freshman Jaiden Moriello (Saugus, Mass.) and sophomore Mitchell Becker (Rogers, Minn.) earned the helpers on Cole's goal, while freshman Jak Vaarwerk (Clarence, N.Y.) and senior Ben Meehan (Walpole, Mass.) collected assists on Fornåå Svensson's.
 
Defensively, Meehan and senior Brehdan Engum (Burnsville, Minn.) led the way with three blocked shots each, while Jonsson and Vaarwerk totaled two apiece. Five different skaters had one block, as well. Junior Luke Pavicich (Clarence Center, N.Y.) got the nod between the pipes, making a season-high 47 saves.

"Our team improved tonight from yesterday's game," said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "I was proud of our effort. We continue to learn valuable lessons on our way through this challenging season. Our special teams improved this weekend and we'll need to continue to make steps in other areas next week." 
 
The first 10 minutes of the game were a back-and-forth battle, as each team tallied three shots on goal. It was the River Hawks that created more scoring chances during that span, with shots from junior Stefan Owens (Midlothian, Va.) and Fornåå Svensson that were just saved by Providence goalie Philip Svedebäck. Throughout the remainder of the period, penalties became a factor, as the Friars got on the board during a 5-on-3 opportunity at 15:36, making it a 1-0 game going into the first intermission.
 
The River Hawks' penalty kill bounced back to begin the second, killing two Providence power play opportunities at 2:51 and 6:38 with crucial saves from Pavicich and tight defensive play. After some time at even strength, the River Hawks drew a penalty, giving them a power play of their own, which gave Cole the chance to tie it up. After a feed from Moriello, Becker controlled the puck near the blue line, before dishing a pass to Cole in the left faceoff circle. Cole settled it and fired a low wrister past the right pad of Svedebäck for the equalizer.
 
Just over two minutes later, Roc Truman had his moment, finding the back of the net for the first time as a River Hawk. Fornåå Svensson started the sequence, getting the puck to Jonsson in the corner, who fed Truman in the left faceoff circle. He then fired one on net that found its way through the five hole to give the River Hawks the 2-1 lead.
 
Fornåå Svensson continued to make things happen in the second, backhanding one to the back of the net to extend the River Hawks' lead to 3-1. Meehan sent a pass to Vaarwerk, who put up a shot that was blocked by a Providence defenseman. Fornåå Svensson managed to collect the loose puck and finish it before the Friars could react. Both teams would enter the locker room with the score at 3-2 after Providence got one back with 12 seconds remaining in the period.
 
Pavicich and the UMass Lowell defense shined to begin the third, as the netminder made nine saves throughout the first 10 minutes of the period and the defense blocked four shots. The River Hawks had a great scoring chance with just under seven minutes to go, when Cole and Roc Truman surged towards the net and Cole sent a shot that ricocheted off the goalie and out to Truman, before the play was disrupted by the Friars. Later in the period, Providence tied it up at the 15:10 mark, and the game went to a 3-on-3 overtime period where the Friars scored with 43 seconds remaining to end the game with a 4-3 score.
 
Next up, the River Hawks will host #2 Boston College in a one-game set on Friday, February 2. Puck drop is set for 7:15 p.m.