(Photo courtesy of UML athletics) “The River Hawks’ loss follows an otherwise successful season.”

Jake Messer
Connector Editor

On March 15, the No. 20 River Hawks season came to an end in Orono, Maine, as they were handly beaten by the No. 4 Black Bears 7-1 in the Quarter Finals of the Hockey East Playoffs. A season that had its ups and its downs is now over. 

Coming off a season where the River Hawks only amassed eight wins, some were beginning to question the future of the program and Head Coach Norm Bazin’s role in it, given he has been the man behind the bench for Lowell for 14 years. This season he was able to silence the doubters by solidifying his future as the head coach by finishing the season with 16 wins.  

What was particularly impressive was how they started the season. Through the first 17 games, they were able to win 13 of them, and were ranked as the eighth best team in the nation by early January. An excellent start to a season. 

 It appeared that the victories would continue to come, as the River Hawks would win the Coachella Valley Cactus Cup during the team’s annual trip to the West Coast. Looking back now, this would be the one of the last highlights for the River Hawks this season. 

From that victory onward, the team would only manage to win four more games throughout the rest of the regular season, finishing with a 15-15-4 record on the year. A season that started with a lot of promise slipped away, but it’s understandable as Hockey East is the most competitive league in all of collegiate hockey.  

Before their season ultimately came to an end at the hands of the Black Bears, the River Hawks hosted the New Hampshire Wildcats in the opening round of the playoffs.  

In the first period, the River Hawks brought the energy, with hits and chances coming in bunches. This energy would prove its merit, as halfway through the first, freshman Chris Delaney buried a loose puck into the back of the net, giving the River Hawks the lead and much needed momentum.  

The momentum would eventually be swung back in the Wildcats direction a few minutes later, when they were able to slip a puck past graduate goaltender Henry Welsch, tying the game at 1-1. 

The Wildcats would continue to pour it on as they were able to beat Welsch once again on the powerplay, making it 2-1. This score would remain until the end of the period. The River Hawks were down, but they were not out. Like they have for most of the season, the team refused to throw in the towel and began to fight back.   

In the second period, the River Hawks came out with energy and poise, but couldn’t find the back of the net despite great chances. Just after the halfway point in the period, senior Matt Crasa sniped the puck into the back of the net, tying the game for not only that period, but for the rest of regulation. Both goaltenders would make some nice saves, keeping it level and requiring overtime to decide the winner. 

After some brief back and forth between the two sides, the River Hawks found the winner.  

Three minutes into overtime, junior Scott Truman stole the puck from a Wildcat defenseman and ripped the puck into the back of the net, winning the game and punching their ticket to the next round.  

“It is a new season and we’re glad to open it up with a win,” said Bazin. “I am excited for the guys. (The quarterfinal round) is going to be a good environment as we all know, and that is good to grow your personality and grow your game.” 

Sadly, the team would be completely outplayed by the Black Bears in said quarterfinal. 

Despite the rough ending, this season showed promise for the future of Umass Lowell’s hockey program, as the freshmen were able to fill the stat sheet throughout the season. 

Previously mentioned Delaney had a great first season, finishing with nine goals and nine assists. Freshman Lee Parks was able to score eight goals while also dishing out six assists this season. Furthermore, freshman Libor Nemec netted six goals, as well as six assists. Fine work for three men in their first collegiate season. 

All in all, the season displayed growth, as well as promise for the future. A young group of guys, coupled with upperclassmen looking to make a name for themselves, should have fans looking towards the fall with hope and excitement.