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http://umassathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-hockey/recaps/020808aaa.html

No. 18 Mass Attack Falls 4-1 To No. 9 Boston College

Eagles tie the season series at 1-1-1 thanks to Gerbe's four-point night.

Feb. 8, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. - Behind Nathan Gerbe's four point night, No. 9 Boston College took a 4-1 win over the No. 18 UMass hockey team on Friday night at the Mullins Center in front of 7,485 fans. Gerbe factored into each of Boston College's four goals with three assists and an empty net tally with 43 seconds to play. UMass freshman center Michael Lecomte scored UMass lone goal of the game. After UMass tied the game in the second period, the Eagles scored three goals in the third period to take the game.

The Minutemen fall to 10-10-6 overall and 5-9-5 in Hockey East, while the Eagles improve to 14-6-7 overall and 9-4-6 in the league. With the win, Boston College evens the series at 1-1-1 this season between the two schools. UMass remains in eighth place, six points out of fourth place, in the Hockey East standings, while Boston College remains in second.

Brian Gibbons put the Eagles on the scoreboard first with his tally just 7:27 into the game. The even powered goal was his seventh of the season.

Lecomte answered 2:47 into the second period with his seventh goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1.

Both teams battled the remainder of the second period, but neither could find a go-ahead goal.

Dan Bertram scored the game-winning goal 5:21 into the third period on the Eagles' third power play chance of the game. Ben Smith added an insurance goal 10 minutes later before Gerbe hit the empty-netter to close out the scoring.

The game was a showcase of two of Hockey East's top freshmen netminders in UMass' Paul Dainton and Boston College's John Muse. Dainton finished the night making 30 saves, while Muse stopped 26 shots. Both goalies stopped 11 shots in the third period.

For the night, UMass had 27 shots on goal, while the Eagles had 34. The Minutemen were 0-for-4 on the power play, while Boston College converted 1-of-3 chances.

UMass returns to action next Friday and Saturday with a home-and-home weekend to close out the season series with Northeastern. The Minutemen head to Boston on Friday night before hosting the Huskies on Saturday night.

This is going to be a HUGE series for the minutemen. They need at least a 3pt weekend if they want any chance of coming back and getting home ice.

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homegrownsportinggoods_1780_31564755

MAINE SCHEDULE REST OF SEASON:

AT BU 2 games

HOME Umass 2 games

AT Vermont 2 games

HOME Lowell 2 games

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LOWELL SCHEDULE REST OF SEASON:

AT BC

HOME BC

HOME Vermont 2 games

HOME Northeastern

AT Northeastern

AT Maine 2 games

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AMHERST SCHEDULE REST OF SEASON:

AT Northeastern

HOME Northeastern

AT Maine 2 games

AT BU

HOME BU

HOME Merrimack

AT Merrimack

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UNH SCHEDULE REST OF SEASON:

AT Providence

HOME Providence

AT BC

HOME BC

HOME Merrimack

AT Merrimack

HOME Vermont 2 games

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PLEASE STOP THE HORROR!!!!!!!!!!!

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Saturday, February 9, 2008

UNH SWEEPS SEASON SERIES WITH 4-1 WIN OVER MAINE

Kevin Regan posts 28 saves in victory for Wildcats

Box Score - Text Box - Game Sheet

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Kevin Regan made 28 saves in the Wildcat net

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ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team dropped a 4-1 decision to New Hampshire on Saturday night at Alfond Arena in Orono, Maine. Maine got its lone goal from Jeff Marshall (Kyle, Saskatchewan), while UNH got goals from Bobby Butler, Matt Fornataro, Danny Dries and Mike Radja.

The two teams played through a scoreless first period. Maine held a 10-9 advantage in shots on goal in the period, and had several good scoring chances.

The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead at 9:18 of the second period when Brad Flaishans tipped the puck ahead to Bobby Butler who skated in alone and beat Maine goalie Ben Bishop (Des Peres, Mo.) UNH added to its lead late in the second period. Mike Radja and Kevin Kapstad teamed up to find Matt Fornataro skating down the slot. Fornataro received the pass and beat Bishop for his 11th goal of the season. The Wildcats took the 2-0 lead into the second intermission.

Maine appeared to have scored a goal late in the second period, it was ruled that the whistle had blown just prior to the puck entering the goal.

New Hampshire added to its lead at 12:47 of the third period. UNH's Fornataro had a shot that was blocked, but Danny Dries shot the rebound past Bishop for his sixth goal of the season.

Maine answered back just minutes later when Jeff Marshall scored his fourth goal of the season. WIth the puck lying in the crease, Marshall stuffed it home to get the Black Bears on the board. Simon Danis-Pepin (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec) and Keenan Hopson (Prince George, British Columbia) each assisted on the goal for the Black Bears.

UNH added to its lead less than a minute later. Bishop came out to clear the puck and send it up the ice, but it hit Radja. He was able to control the puck and skate in alone on the net for his 17th goal of the season.

Maine, which falls to 8-15-3 overall and 4-12-3 in Hockey East play, held a 29-24 advantage in shots. Fifth-ranked New Hampshire improves to 18-7-1 on the season and 14-4-1 in Hockey East play.

Maine goalie Bishop made 20 saves in net for the Black Bears. He falls to 8-15-3 on the season. Kevin Regan made 28 saves in goal for the Wildcats. He improves to 16-5-0. The Black Bears return to action on Friday, February 15 when they travel to Boston University for a 7:30 p.m. game with the Terriers.

Now its off to BU for yet another putrid loss.........Oh wait, make that two putrid losses.

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PLEASE STOP THE HORROR!!!!!!!!!!!

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Saturday, February 9, 2008

UNH SWEEPS SEASON SERIES WITH 4-1 WIN OVER MAINE

Kevin Regan posts 28 saves in victory for Wildcats

Box Score - Text Box - Game Sheet

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Kevin Regan made 28 saves in the Wildcat net

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ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team dropped a 4-1 decision to New Hampshire on Saturday night at Alfond Arena in Orono, Maine. Maine got its lone goal from Jeff Marshall (Kyle, Saskatchewan), while UNH got goals from Bobby Butler, Matt Fornataro, Danny Dries and Mike Radja.

The two teams played through a scoreless first period. Maine held a 10-9 advantage in shots on goal in the period, and had several good scoring chances.

The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead at 9:18 of the second period when Brad Flaishans tipped the puck ahead to Bobby Butler who skated in alone and beat Maine goalie Ben Bishop (Des Peres, Mo.) UNH added to its lead late in the second period. Mike Radja and Kevin Kapstad teamed up to find Matt Fornataro skating down the slot. Fornataro received the pass and beat Bishop for his 11th goal of the season. The Wildcats took the 2-0 lead into the second intermission.

Maine appeared to have scored a goal late in the second period, it was ruled that the whistle had blown just prior to the puck entering the goal.

New Hampshire added to its lead at 12:47 of the third period. UNH's Fornataro had a shot that was blocked, but Danny Dries shot the rebound past Bishop for his sixth goal of the season.

Maine answered back just minutes later when Jeff Marshall scored his fourth goal of the season. WIth the puck lying in the crease, Marshall stuffed it home to get the Black Bears on the board. Simon Danis-Pepin (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec) and Keenan Hopson (Prince George, British Columbia) each assisted on the goal for the Black Bears.

UNH added to its lead less than a minute later. Bishop came out to clear the puck and send it up the ice, but it hit Radja. He was able to control the puck and skate in alone on the net for his 17th goal of the season.

Maine, which falls to 8-15-3 overall and 4-12-3 in Hockey East play, held a 29-24 advantage in shots. Fifth-ranked New Hampshire improves to 18-7-1 on the season and 14-4-1 in Hockey East play.

Maine goalie Bishop made 20 saves in net for the Black Bears. He falls to 8-15-3 on the season. Kevin Regan made 28 saves in goal for the Wildcats. He improves to 16-5-0. The Black Bears return to action on Friday, February 15 when they travel to Boston University for a 7:30 p.m. game with the Terriers.

Now its off to BU for yet another putrid loss.........Oh wait, make that two putrid losses.

Lowell has a weekend series with BC. At BC tonight then at Lowell tomorrow.

http://riverhawkhockey.blogspot.com/

Outlook:

Hoo boy.

What can we say about this weekend that hasn't been said everywhere by everybody? They are simply a dominant team with a dynamic offense and stifling defense. Lowell, meanwhile, is in the midst of a month-long tailspin, with the unforgiving, jagged rocks of reality growing inexorably closer through the windshield. On paper, Lowell needs a miracle.

Miracles, however, can happen.

Three years ago, on this very weekend in fact, the 13th-ranked River Hawks stunned then-No. 2 and tops in Hockey East Boston College on consecutive nights, sweeping a two-game series with 3-1 and 4-1 wins.

We were in attendance at the Conte Forum that Friday, Feb. 18, 2005 when Brian Boyle scored just 4:24 into the game, and we saw the stunning comeback with our own eyes. Ben Walter and Todd Fletcher scored a few minutes apart before that first period ended, and Jason Tejchma added an insurance goal less than a minute into the second. What followed was Lowell manning its battle stations and suppressing an incredible Eagle barrage of 33 shots, many of which were surprisingly low-quality. Lowell's defense was just that good.

It certainly did not hurt that Lowell took just two penalties that night. BC, at the time, still had Boyle, Pat Eaves, Ryan Shannon, Dave Spina, Chris Collins, Andrew Alberts, Cory Schneider and so on and so forth. Certainly the prospect of BC playing at all, let alone a man up for more than four minutes in that game, would have been troublesome.

The next night was a little more harrowing, as Lowell once again allowed the first goal, but also took 10 penalties (BC, to be fair, took 12) and afforded the Eagles six power-play opportunities. Once again, Lowell squashed all of them. Pete Vetri, though, had to stand on his head to make 39 saves (then a career high) to preserve the 4-1 win.

We must acknowledge, however, that Eaves, Alberts, and Schneider were all missing for part or the entirety of the weekend. That only left BC with two future NHLers and four kids that were picked in the first three rounds of an NHL draft. Shucks.

A lot of parallels can be drawn between this weekend series and that fateful mid-February meeting, though. BC came in highly ranked (No. 1 in the USA Today poll, No. 2 by USCHO's count) with a high-scoring offense and a strong defense, against a Lowell team that had been sputtering (2-2-1 in its previous five) after a very strong start (they were 17-7-4 coming in). Lowell's offense, especially the power play, at the time was leagues better than it was now, but the team defense and penalty kill were remarkably similar.

Given how tightly Lowell played BC with a similarly thin lineup just a few weeks ago, it's not out the realm of possibility that a situation reminiscent of the 2005 affair could occur. Plus, this time BC might be suffering from a bit of a hangover from its Beanpot championship win on Monday, of which Eagles fans seem shockingly fearful.

Or, y'know, the River Hawks could get their heads smashed in. It's really all up in the air.

I have absolutely no confidence that Lowell can pull out a win in either game.

It should be akin to a cripple fight up at Alfond to end the season.

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At least we made it to overtime.

-----And we arent in last place like Mack........

I watched the game. As much as I hate Maine, BU is much higher on my hate scale. I can't believe you guys lost in overtime. FU Jack Parker.

You are a better than making fun of Merrimack. C'mon. It's frickin Merrimack!

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We are toast........ We dont deserve to be there the way we played this year, let a real team take our spot.

What is going on up in Orono? You guys always get the best players from Quebec and are obviously a powerhouse in College Hockey.

I don't get it.

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What is going on up in Orono? You guys always get the best players from Quebec and are obviously a powerhouse in College Hockey.

I don't get it.

I dont either. There is no consistancy or control out on the ice, and stupid turnovers arent helping. The power play is nowhere near as potent or productive. I dont know if its lack of on-ice leadership or what, we lost some good seniors.

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Saturday Night Results

Mass over NU 3-1

BC over Lowell 5-2

Vermont over Merrimack 2-1

UNH over Prov. 4-3

BU over Maine 1-0 in overtime

Standings

1. UNH- 32pts

2. BC- 26pts

3. NU- 24pts

---Prov- 24pts

5. BU-23pts

---VT- 23pts

7. Lowell- 20pts

8. Ucrash- 17pts

9. Maine- 11pts

10. Merrimack- 10pts

So things are starting to shake out at the bottom of the standings with 6 games remaining. Clinched playoff berths: UNH, BC, NU, Prov, BU.

Maine is still in the hunt after a heartbreaking weekend with 2 OT losses. They play UMass, VT and Lowell the last 3 weeks. But the situation is dire. 6pts out with only 12pts available is a tough spot to be in. If they want to contend, they must take at least 3 pts against UMass.

Lowell can wrap up a playoff spot next weekend depending on UMass/ Maine series. So their looking at hosting a home playoff game. They are 4pts out of the top 4 so they win each series the rest of the way. They play Vermont at home next weekend, NU, and Maine in Orono. They must take some points over the next 3 home games before going on the road to finish the season. Those are going to be tough points to get in Maine.

Umass can wrap up a playoff spot with a sweep of Maine next weekend. Wont happen since its in Orono and Maine is still pissed off about last season and their meeting a few weeks ago where the refs were sticking it to the Black Bears. UMass will not be contending for a home playoff spot since they are 7pts out. A small glimmer of hope that can be squashed if they play horribly against Maine. Umass schedule: Maine, BU, Merrimack. Could very easily go 0-6. Most likely: split Maine, lose both to BU, split Merrimack.

UNH- 6pts ahead of 2nd place BC. Unless they collapse over the next 3 weeks they will win the regular season title. Highly unlikely as they only collapse in the NCAA's...:)

Big series this weekend against BC. They can wrap it up with a sweep, come close with a split or create a race with losing both.

LBS is hoping for a UNH/UMass playoff series. LBS hasnt been back to the Whittemore Center since 1998 when UNH eliminated his Minutemen from the playoffs and ending his illustrious career working for the Minutemen.

Last three weeks: BC, Merrimack, VT

BC- nobody likes them so I wont write anything else about them. schedule: UNH, Prov, NU (tough schedule!)

BU- bite me Jack Parker. schedule: NU, UMass, Prov

Northeastern- BU, Lowell, BC- if they arent careful they could end up in the bottom half of the standings...

Merrimack- I love ya Bum-knee, but I would really love to see Merrimack not finish last. I love their coach Mark Dennehey (from my days at UMass) and want to see him succeed. Hopefully it wont come down to Merri. sweeping UMass to make the playoffs:p.

schedule- Prov, UNH, Umass (luckily it probably wont come down to the last week...)

Providence- A surprise all season. Are they really this good??? We'll see over the last 3 weeks... Merrimack, BC and BU.

Vermont- I dont really have anything to say... um.. they have a nice arena...:P

schedule- Lowell (road) Maine (home) UNH (road) with a record of 3-4-3 on the road, its going to be a tough schedule to close out the year.

Thats it for this week.

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UMASS OVER NORTHEASTERN 3-1

AMHERST, Mass. - Alex Berry tallied a pair of first period goals and netminder Paul Dainton made 30 saves as the UMass hockey team defeated No. 15 Northeastern 3-1 on Saturday night in the Mullins Center. Berry put UMass up 2-0 after the first period and P.J. Fenton scored midway through the second. Dainton carried the shutout into the third period until Kyle Kraemer scored Northeastern's only goal of the game with just over eight minutes remaining. UMass heads to Maine for a pair of games next Saturday and Sunday.

The Minutemen improve to 11-11-6 overall and 6-10-5 in Hockey East, while Northeastern falls to 14-11-3 overall and 11-8-2 in the league.

UMass came out firing in the first period outshooting the Huskies 12-to-6 en route to the 2-0 early lead. Berry scored both goals - his first career multi-goal game. He notched his first goal at the 7:19 mark when Martin Nolet slid a long cross-ice pass to the opposite board where Berry collected it near center ice. He skated into the right face-off circle and sent a hard shot into the top right corner of the net.

Berry's next goal was on a power play at the 13:30 mark. David Leaderer sent the puck into the left corner and Berry and Chris Davis worked it into the scoring zone. With Davis behind the left post, he sent a pass into Berry that James Marcou redirected. Berry found the puck just outside the crease and sent it home.

In the second period, Justin Braun sent a clearing pass towards James Marcou at center ice. Marcou side-stepped a defenseman and drove the puck towards the right post. P.J. Fenton crashed towards the left post and after Northeastern goalie Brad Thiessen (30 saves) committed to Marcou, he slid the puck over to Fenton who scored his sixth goal of the season.

Halfway through a power play opportunity of their own, the Huskies were able to capitalize for their only goal of the game. Kyle Kraemer intercepted a clearing pass out of the Northeastern offensive zone and ripped a shot from the left face off circle where he beat Dainton in the top right corner.

UMass finished the game with a 33-to-31 shot advantage. Both teams committed seven penalites with UMass converting 2-of-4 power plays. Northeastern was just 1-for-6 on power play chances.

attendance 4921

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BC UPENDS LOWELL 5-2 AT TSONGAS

LOWELL, Mass. (Feb. 16, 2008) - Ben Smith (Avon, Conn.) scored two goals and Joe Whitney (Reading, Mass.) had four assists as No. 7 Boston College defeated No. 18 UMass Lowell, 5-2, Saturday night in Hockey East action at the Tsongas Arena.

The Eagles improve to 16-7-7 overall and 10-5-6 in league play with the win. The River Hawks fall to 13-11-4 overall and 8-9-4 in Hockey East with the loss.

In addition to Smith, Dan Bertram (Calgary, Alb.), Benn Ferriero (Essex, Mass.) and Kyle Kucharski (Saugus, Mass.) scored for Boston College. The four assists are a career high for Whitney. Smith also added an assist to his totals.

Ben Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Barry Goers (Ivyland, Pa.) scored for UML.

The River Hawks built a 2-0 lead scoring goals one minute and 22 second apart in the first period before the Eagles scored five unanswered goals.

Holmstrom opened the scoring with a power play goal, his fifth of the season at 14:16. Jeremy Dehner (Madison, Wis.) and Maury Edwards (Rocky Rapids, Alb.) assisted on the tally.

Goers made 2-0 at 16:08 with assists from Jason DeLuca (East Moriches, N.Y.) and Jonathan Maniff (Revere, Mass.).

Of the five unanswered goals for BC, three came on power plays beginning with Bertram's tally at 1:50 of the second period. Smith and Whitney picked up the assists.

Ferriero followed with a power play marker at 10:42 from Whitney and Nathan Gerbe (Oxford, Mich.). And Smith capped the second period scoring with a man-advantage goal at 15:57. Bertram and Whitney had the assists.

Kucharski and Smith added to BC's lead with goals midway through the third period. Kucharski scored at 10:39 and Smith scored at 13:18. Andrew Orpik (East Amherst, N.Y.) assisted on Kucharski�s goal. And Whitney and Carl Sneep (Nisswa, Minn.) assisted on the goals.

John Muse (East Falmouth, Mass.) made 15 saves to earn his 16th win of the season.

Nevin Hamilton (Ashland, Mass.) stopped 18 BC shots but suffered his sixth loss of the season. Jon Dryjowicz-Burek (Ludlow, Mass.) played the final 6:42 in relief and made four saves.

The Eagles out-shot the River Hawks 27 to 17 for the game, including 15 to 2 in the second period.

BC was 3-for-6 on the power play. The three power play goals scored by the Eagles was the first time this season that the River Hawks have surrendered three man-advantage goals in a game. UML was 1-for-6 on the power play.

Goers extended his point streak to four games (0g, 5a). Edwards has a three game point streak (1g, 2a). Holmstrom has points in seven of the last nine games (3g, 6a).

The River Hawks return to the ice Friday night for the first of two home games against the University of Vermont. The Eagles host New Hampshire for two games beginning Friday night.

ATTENDANCE- 5302- SELLOUT. (with the tarps it was.....:P)

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BU WINS 2nd STRAIGHT OVERTIME GAME 1-0 OVER MAINE

BOSTON, Mass. - Freshman Colin Wilson scored the game's lone goal and sophomore goaltender Brett Bennett earned his first career shutout, as the Boston University men's ice hockey team won its second overtime game in as many nights with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Maine on Saturday evening at Agganis Arena. Wilson knocked in a rebound at 3:30 of the extra session, lifting the Terriers to their fourth straight win and helping them improve to 12-14-4 on the year with a 10-8-3 Hockey East mark.

Junior goaltender Ben Bishop turned in a spectacular 37-save performance for the Black Bears, but it wasn't enough, as they dropped to 8-17-3 on the year and 4-14-3 in conference play.

Bennett stopped all 17 shots he faced after keeping the Black Bears scoreless for the final 58:15 of the Terriers' 2-1 overtime victory on Friday.

In overtime, Wilson won a faceoff from the left side and junior Brandon Yip made a quick turn to pick up the puck and fire it from the top of the circle. The shot was stopped by Bishop, but Wilson was there to fire the rebound to the top left portion of the net.

The result marked the first time the Terriers that won two overtime games on consecutive days in over 22 years, as BU posted a home sweep over Northern Michigan on Jan. 17-18, 1986, by scores of 5-4 and 8-7.

Most surprising stat of the night- Gravallese reffed and only called 9 total penalties. Probably all sh!tty calls...

attendance- 5216

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UNH DEFEATS PROVIDENCE 4-3

DURHAM, N.H. - Mike Radja (Yorkville, Ill.) broke a 3-3 tie late in the third period and also recorded two assists to lift the fourth-ranked University of New Hampshire men's hockey team to Saturday night's 4-3 Hockey East victory against 14th-ranked Providence College at the Whittemore Center.

UNH extended its unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1) to improve to 19-7-2 overall and 15-4-2 in the league. Providence, which skated to a 1-1 tie vs. the Wildcats Friday night at home, is now 13-11-4, 10-7-4. UNH is now unbeaten in its last 11 in Hockey East play (10-0-1).

Radja's linemate, Danny Dries (Lake Orion, Mich.) tallied three points, all on assists, to finish with personal bests in both assists and points. UNH goaltender Kevin Regan (South Boston, Mass.) finished with 37 saves, including 16 in the second period. PC counterpart Tyler Sims had double-digit saves all three periods (10-12-11) for a total of 33. Dries has recorded a point in his last six games, while Radja currently owns seven-game streak and has tallied a point 10 of his last 11.

With the Wildcats leading 3-2 at the start of the third period, Jordan Kremyr pulled the Friars even at 11:28 with his first career goal. Regan stopped Kyle MacKinnon's initial shot from the left circle, but the rebound went directly to Kremyr in the slot and he wristed a shot into the net.

PC was whistled for a major at 14:30 and UNH called time out at 16:22 - with 3:09 remaining on that infraction. Radja gave the 'Cats their third lead of the game with what proved to be the game-winning goal at 17:00. Dries, at the right post, moved the puck back to the point for Radja, who swung the puck to Craig Switzer (Peachland, British Columbia) at the high slot. Switzer sent a quick return pass to Switzer, whose shot from the top of the right circle beat Sims.

The visitors called time out with 55.4 seconds to play and killed off the remainder of the penalty time on the major. They pulled Sims in favor of an extra skater with 21 seconds on the clock and a last-second wraparound attempt by Nick Mazzolini was thwarted by Regan at the right post.

UNH took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission on goals by Joe Charlebois (Potsdam, N.Y.) - his first of the season � at 3:59 and Matt Fornataro (Calgary, Alberta) at 13:45. Charlebois collected a pass from Radja at the right point, and his shot fluttered through traffic into the net; Dries was also credited with an assist.

Fornataro netted his fifth power-play goal of the season when Dries, just off the right post, snapped a pass across the crease to his unmarked teammate. Switzer initiated that scoring sequence with a pass from the high slot to Radja, who in turn slid the puck from the right point down low to Dries.

The Friars stormed back to tie the score, 2-2, in the second period. Nick Mazzolini trimmed the deficit to one with a power-play goal at 1:28. Cody Wild carried the puck along the right half-boards and executed a centering pass to Mazzolini, who snapped a wrist shot into the net. Pierce Norton evened the score at 13:44 when he collected Joe Lavin's pass and fired a shot from the inner-right circle inside the near post.

UNH regained the lead, 3-2, 2:04 later on an extra-attacker goal by Mike Sislo (Superior, Wis.) as the 'Cats pulled Regan on a delayed penalty call against the Friars. The initial shot from the left point by Jamie Fritsch (Odenton, Md.) was blocked by the defense, but Greg Collins (Fairport, N.Y.) collected the puck in the slot and fired a shot that was turned aside by Sims. Sislo corralled the rebound at the left post and scored.

New Hampshire returns to action Feb. 22 (7:30 p.m.) at Boston College on NESN. The Wildcats' next home game is Feb. 23 (7 p.m.) against BC.

attendance- 6501 sellout

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VERMONT HOLDS OFF MERRIMACK 2-1

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Sophomore Viktor Stalberg (Gothenburg, Sweden) scored the game-winning goal for the second straight game and senior Joe Fallon (Bemidji, Minn.) stopped 19 shots, including 11 in the third period, to give Vermont a 2-1 victory over Merrimack in front of a sellout crowd of 4,003 at Gutterson Fieldhouse in Hockey East action on Saturday night.

The Catamounts are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and improved to 10-11-7 (9-7-5 HEA) overall. Merrimack fell to 10-15-3 (4-15-2 HEA) with the loss.

"I thought Viktor (Stalberg) was our MVP on the weekend," Vermont head coach Kevin Sneddon said. "I guess I look at him and Joe Fallon. I thought Joe was spectacular. I thought Viktor really established himself as one of the better players in Hockey East this weekend."

Stalberg has at least one point in nine of the last 10 games and a total of six goals and 12 points in that stretch. His three game-winning goals in Hockey East contests ranks tied for second best in the conference.

Fallon is 5-1-1 in his last seven starts with a 1.81 goals against average. He has held the Warriors to one goal or less in six straight starts against them.

Junior co-captain Dean Strong (Mississauga, Ontario) scored just 14 seconds into the game. Sophomore Colin Vock (Plymouth, Mich.) setup the goal off the draw at the right circle. Vock has a team best 16 assists and 21 points on the season.

Freshman Joe Cucci scored for Merrimack during a 5-on-3 in the third period. Sophomore Andrew Braithwaite had 16 saves in the loss.

"Points are so hard to come by in Hockey East play," Sneddon added. "You have to fight for every single point and to come away with four on a weekend; that's the first time we have done it all year. We weren't always perfect but we played some really good hockey this weekend."

With Vermont leading 1-0, Stalberg scored with just 44 seconds remaining in the second period. Sophomore Brian Roloff (West Seneca, N.Y.) fed Stalberg in the slot from the right circle. Freshman Kevan Miller (Los Angeles, Calif.) also assisted on the goal that proved to be the game winner.

"I just kind of took it hard to the net and hoped for the best," Stalberg said. "I guess we got a little lucky there but you can always use that, so it was good."

Trailing by a pair of goals, Cucci cut the deficit in half for Merrimack with a wrister from the slot at 3:01 of the third.

Merrimack continued to put pressure on Vermont in the final period, registering a total of 11 shots after putting up just three shots in the second. Junior Grant Farell had a chance to tie the game with 12 seconds left but he hit the post from the right circle.

The weekend sweep for Vermont was its first since taking back-to-back games against Boston College at Gutterson Fieldhouse last season on Jan. 19 and 20.

With six games left in the regular season, the Catamounts are three points behind second place Boston College and one point behind Northeastern and Providence, who are in a tie for third place in the Hockey East standings.

Vermont returns to action next weekend in a two-game series at No. 18 UMass-Lowell at Tsongas Arena on Friday (2/22) and Saturday (2/23). Both games begin at 7pm. The Catamounts won this season's first meeting 3-2 on Feb. 3 at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

Attendance- 4003- sellout

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http://www.lowellsun.com/sports/ci_8288931

LOWELL -- The UMass Lowell hockey team just couldn't keep pulling the plug on the Boston College power play. Sooner or later the Eagles had to wise up to the freshman and sophomoric prank.

BC 5, UMass Lowell 2

And they did in the second period as the seventh-ranked Eagles pumped in three power-play goals to wipe out a 2-0 UML lead and went on to beat the 18th-ranked River Hawks 5-2 last night in front of a throng of 5,302 at the Tsongas Arena and earn a split of the weekend series.

The loss dropped UML to 8-9-4 in Hockey East and 13-11-4 overall. BC upped its record to 16-7-7 overall and 10-5-6 in the league.

The Eagles came into the weekend boasting the best power play in the country with a 24.5 percent conversion rate. But they had gone 0-for-5 on the power play in Friday night's 3-1 loss to UML and were just 1-for-11 against the River Hawks this season until exploding in the second period.

"It's disappointing," said UML coach Blaise MacDonald. "I thought we dominated them for the first 20 or 25 minutes.

We were playing great. But we just couldn't get that third goal."

The game took a 180-degree turn in the second period as the River Hawks spent most of the session trying to kill off penalties. The Eagles outshot the River Hawks 15-2 in the period and netted three power-play goals to seize a 3-2 edge.

"They were called penalties ... but I'm not sure if we took them or not," MacDonald grumbled.

It was the first time this year UML surrendered three power-play goals in a game.

The Eagles cut UML's lead to 2-1 at 1:50 when a strong effort by Dan Bertram paid off in a third-try goal.

UML's Nick Schaus was then assessed a five-minute major by Referee Dave Hansen for hitting from behind, a marginal two-minute minor at worst. Schaus was also ejected from the game.

"That was a devastating, devastating blow to us to have that penalty called," MacDonald said, "We lost one of our toughest defensemen who had been playing great killing penalties and on the power play. That totally gutted our game."

The Eagles capitalized at 10:42 to tie the game when Ben Ferriero's blast down the slot from the blue line hit a UML defender in front and got past Nevin Hamilton.

BC scored again at 15:57 when Ben Smith stepped in front of the net and slipped the puck past Hamilton.

Meanwhile, Hansen let back-to-back tripping penalties on the Eagles slide, the second of which resulted in a 2-on-1 break for Nathan Gerbe with three minutes left in the period that Hamilton stopped with his glove.

The River Hawks could never regain their momentum in the third period.

"It was impossible," MacDonald said. "We were gassed from killing penalties. But we still battled, and I loved that about our team.

"They just have a little more finish than we do right now."

Kyle Kucharski scored at 10:39, and Smith chased Hamilton with his second goal of the game and 17th of the season at 13:18 to complete a run of five unanswered BC goals. Joe Whitney had four assists for the Eagles.

For the second straight night the River Hawks took a 2-0 lead against the Eagles, tallying a pair of goals 1:22 apart in the first period.

The River Hawks clicked on their first power play of the night at 14:46 when Jeremy Dehner blasted the puck down the slot from the blue line and Ben Holmstrom, skating in front of the net, got his stick on it. The puck skidded past goalie John Muse and came to a stop about six inches beyond the goal line.

It was the fifth power-play goal for the River Hawks in their three games with BC.

UML made it 2-0 at 16:08 when when Barry Goers beat Muse with a shot from between the left circle and point.

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This has been one of the wildest seasons I can remember in Hockey East.

Standings

1. UNH- 32pts

2. BC- 26pts

3. NU- 24pts

---Prov- 24pts

5. BU-23pts

---VT- 23pts

7. Lowell- 20pts

8. Ucrash- 17pts

9. Maine- 11pts

10. Merrimack- 10pts

The playoffs should be just as crazy. Apart from UNH home ice advantage hasn't made much of a difference this year.

BUM-KNEE: I hope Maine sneaks in* so that they can play UNH in the 1st round. Nothing beats the UNH/Maine hatred.

*As long as Lowell beats them up in Orono to end the regular season!

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This has been one of the wildest seasons I can remember in Hockey East.

Standings

1. UNH- 32pts

2. BC- 26pts

3. NU- 24pts

---Prov- 24pts

5. BU-23pts

---VT- 23pts

7. Lowell- 20pts

8. Ucrash- 17pts

9. Maine- 11pts

10. Merrimack- 10pts

The playoffs should be just as crazy. Apart from UNH home ice advantage hasn't made much of a difference this year.

BUM-KNEE: I hope Maine sneaks in* so that they can play UNH in the 1st round. Nothing beats the UNH/Maine hatred.

*As long as Lowell beats them up in Orono to end the regular season!

but that would mean my boys would be out.......:1cry:

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Do they deserve to be in? If anyone should be fighting for the final playoff spot it should be Lowell.

Lowell is in as long as they dont fall flat on their face the last 3 weeks... you guys need to find how to gain 4pts when the others dont... home ice is fading fast....

and no... Umass doesnt deserve to be in. but i cant handle another late season collapse from one of my teams. from 5th in the nation to out of the conference playoffs would be devastating.

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Lowell is in as long as they dont fall flat on their face the last 3 weeks... you guys need to find how to gain 4pts when the others dont... home ice is fading fast....

and no... Umass doesnt deserve to be in. but i cant handle another late season collapse from one of my teams. from 5th in the nation to out of the conference playoffs would be devastating.

Zoo Mass will make it. Like Lowell they will probably be bounced in the 1st round.

If the Minutemen or River Hawks pull off a major upset and advance to the Garden I will be there.

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This has been one of the wildest seasons I can remember in Hockey East.

Standings

1. UNH- 32pts

2. BC- 26pts

3. NU- 24pts

---Prov- 24pts

5. BU-23pts

---VT- 23pts

7. Lowell- 20pts

8. Ucrash- 17pts

9. Maine- 11pts

10. Merrimack- 10pts

The playoffs should be just as crazy. Apart from UNH home ice advantage hasn't made much of a difference this year.

BUM-KNEE: I hope Maine sneaks in* so that they can play UNH in the 1st round. Nothing beats the UNH/Maine hatred.

*As long as Lowell beats them up in Orono to end the regular season!

I dont see how Maine can pull off getting in the way they are playing, and if they did get in they would get smoked by NH, Lowell or Mack for that matter.

:bag:

Glad this hockey season was able to give me something to cheer about, after how bad the Jets season was and all....... I am cursed.

:bag::bag::bag:

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Wow

Just saw this thread

I see my NU Huskies are finally playing respectable pucks

And Maine blows

This is AWESOME

Welcome to the most active thread in the College Sports Forum. That isn't saying much but its something!

With you on board we now have fans from 5 Hockey East teams.

BUM-KNEE (Maine), Lil Bit Special (UMass), me (Lowell) & PFSIKH (UNH)

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