The River Hawks completed a weekend sweep of Colorado College with a 2-1 win Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics)
A broom is not a usable tool in the game Minecraft, but it is what the River Hawks decided to break out this weekend. While the crowd at the Tsongas Center celebrated Minecraft night, the team on the ice crafted a 2-1 victory to improve their season record to an undefeated 3-0.
The River Hawks won Friday night’s contest with finesse, and they were victorious in Saturday’s match-up thanks to their physicality, and stellar goal tending. Kevin Boyle earned first-star honors with his 23-save performance. The senior has only allowed three goals in the first three games, and has shown growing confidence in net. Directly after Colorado’s lone goal, Boyle turned away a hard slap shot from the corner through traffic; showing the student section that the goal did not affect his mentality.
“I just try to focus on my game,” said Boyle.
It was clear that the River Hawks were fatigued in the first period. After Friday nights 55-shot outburst, UML faced a tall task trying to match that offensive explosiveness.
Adam Chapie continued the hot start to his season by netting his second goal with 4:55 remaining in the first period. Chapie was originally denied on his first shot, but stuck with the rebound and lifted the puck past Colorado College goaltender Tyler Marble.
“We always want to drive hard to the net,” said Chapie. “I went to the net and I got a great pass from [Niklas] Folin, and good things happened.”
It was questionable who was going to be in net for the Tigers before the game. Jacob Mehama made 52 saves in Friday’s contest, but coach Mike Haviland decided on this night to go with Marble.
The goal got the crowd going, and seemed to rejuvenate UML to finish the first period strong.
The River Hawks continued their great defensive play in the first frame, as the Tigers only mustered four shots on goal.
Ryan McGrath got his name on the stat sheet yet again. After Friday’s game winning goal, McGrath tallied his second of the season when he beat Marble top shelf.
“He’s contributed both games, and ended up getting both game winners.” said coach Norm Bazin on McGrath. “He provided energy, and I like that. Hopefully its a a sign of things to come. Some guys have huge senior seasons, and hopefully that’s the case with him.”
The River Hawks did not enjoy the two goal cushion for too long, however, thanks to Trey Bradley. The freshman forward has already tallied three goals on the young season for the Tigers, and cut the lead to just one when he slid the puck just past the pad of Kevin Boyle.
Bradley’s goal sent a surge down the Tiger’s bench. Colorado college played the last nine minutes of the second frame with vigor and speed which generated penalties on the River Hawks. The Tigers went on the power twice during these minutes, but UML stood strong down a man.
The River Hawks were three-for-three on the penalty kill tonight, bringing their season total to a perfect 12-for-12.
The third period brought an exciting twenty minutes of up and down hockey. A.J While found himself on a breakaway with eight minutes left, but shot wide as a Colorado defender was bearing down on him. Just three minutes later, Adam Chapie nearly put away his second goal of the night. Chapie fired a devastating wrister that rocketed off the left post and into the corner boards to be played away by the Tigers.
The River Hawks provided the energy they needed both nights, and showed that as a team they are adaptable to multiple play styles. Next weekend kicks of a home-and-home series against Merrimack College.
“It’s going to be exciting. It’s exciting whomever you play,” said Bazin. “It’s going to be an interesting game in that little rink. They’re is nowhere to hide, and it will be good for us.”
