(Photo courtesy of UML Athletics) “Lee Parks fights for puck with UConn player”
James Guiry
Connector Staff
The UMass Lowell Men’s Hockey team was 8-2 and ranked #15 in the country coming into their matchup against the UConn Huskies on November 22nd, with their only losses coming to Minnesota Duluth and Boston University. This is a clear improvement from last season as they finished the season 8-24-4.
The matchup between the Riverhawks and the Huskies was a low-scoring one. UConn led UML 2-0 after two periods. The first goal came on a one-time shot from Ryan Tattle off a good feed from Kai Janviriya.
The second goal came on a UConn powerplay on a UML with too many men on the ice penalty. They had their powerplay, however, it became a 4-on-4 after their penalty leading to a Huskies powerplay goal when their penalty expired. The goal came on another quick one-time shot from John Muldowney. The assists came from Ethan Gardula and Kai Janviriya. This was Janviriya’s second point of the game.
UML continued with their penalty troubles adding another penalty before leaving the ice for the second intermission that would carry over into the third period. UConn took full advantage of the Riverhawks penalties scoring another goal less than 30 seconds into the final period, making the score 3-0 in favor of the Huskies. The Huskies went 2/4 on the powerplay against the Riverhawks. That is half of the powerplay goals UConn has scored all season.
Lee Parks scored his first career collegiate goal for UML with 7 minutes and 23 seconds left to play in regulation. The Ontario native gave UML some hope late in this game only for it to be crushed a few minutes later. The goal would ultimately be too little too late for the Riverhawks as Jake Percival would go on to score with 2 minutes and 29 seconds left to play, icing the game 4-1.
The Huskies won this game thanks to a stellar performance from freshman goaltender Callum Tung. This would mark the young netminder’s first collegiate start and win. Tung posted a 1.00 GAA and a .963 SV% on 27 shots in his debut. This will be UConn’s third straight win over a ranked opponent after being swept by Merrimack to start this season.
The Riverhawks will fall to 8-3 and will be looking to bounce back on Saturday, November 23rd when they will get another crack at the Huskies where they are partnering with the PWHL’s Boston Fleet for “Fleet Night” a promotion where fans can meet players on the Boston Fleet. UML has had a great start to the season so far, already matching their win total from last season and they should be able to shake off this loss and get back to winning.
