(Photo courtesy of UMass Lowell) UMass Lowell’s men’s hockey team defeated the reigning NCAA champions, the UMass Amherst Minutemen, in a shootout at the Tsongas Center Friday night. Going into this game, UMass Lowell was ranked 15th nationally and UMass Amherst ranked 14th.
Matt Micale
Connector editor
UMass Lowell’s men’s hockey team defeated the reigning NCAA champions, the UMass Amherst Minutemen, in a shootout at the Tsongas Center Friday night. Going into this game, UMass Lowell was ranked 15th nationally and UMass Amherst ranked 14th.
The game went into an overtime period tied 4-4 with neither team able to score resulting in a shootout to determine a winner. Lowell’s forward Carl Berglund scored the lone goal in the shootout securing the win for the River Hawks.
The first period started with a couple of successful penalty kills and close shorthanded chances by Lowell. Despite pressure from the Riverhawks, Amherst was able to score the first of the game deep into the period at even strength. The goal came from Ryan Lautenbach with assists from Bobby Trivigno and Lucas Mercuri.
The period ended with the Minutemen up 1-0 with some after play physicality that would continue throughout the game. Lowell did have more shots in the period though, with eight to Amherst’s five.
Lowell came in strong on the attack in the opening minutes of the second period. However, Amherst was able to score again about five minutes in, pushing the score to 2-0. This time, the goal came from Scott Morrow.
The two-goal lead did not last for long, as Lowell would score three unanswered before the period ended. The first from the River Hawks came from forward Matt Allen marking his first career goal. Forwards Reid Stefanson and Matt Crasa scored the other two, both on a power play.
Amherst was able to tie the game minutes into the third period on a power play goal from Anthony DelGazio. The third period remained scoreless for about ten minutes until Crasa scored his second of the night. The goal was under review for a potential kicked puck, but the play was eventually deemed clean.
Looking at a one goal lead, the River Hawks attempted to end the game in regulation, but DelGaizo scored his second of the period with a minute remaining, again tying the game.
A penalty was called on Lowell during the sudden death overtime making the game four on three for two minutes in Amherst’s favor. However, the Minutemen were unable to capitalize during the five-minute overtime pushing the game to a shootout, which Lowell would go on to win.
Lowell’s star goaltender, Owen Savory, ended the game with 27 saves and a perfect shootout performance. Savory remains to only be beaten once this season as a starter. Amherst’s goaltender Matt Murray ended the night similarly with 28 saves and one goal let by in the shootout.
On the victory, Lowell’s head coach Norm Bazin said, “It was certainly a very entertaining hockey game tonight. The fans got what they wished for. A good battle between two excellent teams. Goaltending was good again. Giving up a goal with one minute left, or a minute and a half, was tough, but the guys persevered.”