UMass-Lowell has it covered
Irish up next after complete effort
MANCHESTER, N.H. — UMass-Lowell coach Norm Bazin saw positive results from many areas in his team’s 5-0 victory over Cornell in the NCAA Northeast Regional semifinals yesterday at SNHU Arena.
The Hockey East champion River Hawks (27-10-3) secured their 12th win in the last 13 games and will take on fourth-seeded Notre Dame in today’s final (3:30 p.m.) with the winner advancing to the Frozen Four. Notre Dame defeated top-seeded Minnesota, 3-2, and will face UMass-Lowell for a fourth time. The River Hawks were 2-1 against the Irish this season, including a 5-1 thrashing in the Hockey East tournament semifinal at the Garden.
Yesterday, freshman goalie Tyler Wall made 19 saves and the River Hawks’ special teams produced two third-period, powerplay goals while killing off two penalties in the second period.
“It was a tough game despite what the score might indicate afterward,” said Bazin. “We felt it was a hard-fought battle and we were fortunate we got contributions from all four lines and from our special teams. That helped get us over the edge.
“You’re talking about a young goalie getting a shutout in a crucial game, and that is going to help his confidence.”
In addition, Lowell’s four lines each contributed a goal and great puck movement while sophomore center Nick Master won 18-of-23 faceoffs. The overall effort was consistent with what the River Hawks been producing most of the season.
“Lowell is probably the best team we’ve played this year in my opinion,” Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson said after the second semifinal. “It’s going to be a big challenge.”
Cornell appeared to gain a 1-0 lead 54 seconds into the opening frame when left winger Mitch Vanderlaan lofted a wobbler toward the Lowell cage. However, senior Eric Freschi knocked the puck down with a high stick just before Vanderlaan poked it home. The goal was disallowed after review.
Lowell had a second-period shorthanded goal disallowed when the video revealed the Hawks had too many men on the ice during a line shift. Cornell coach Mike Schafer agreed with the officials’ high stick ruling while Bazin was dubious about his team’s missed opportunity.
“I’ll have to watch it, and frankly I don’t have an opinion on that,” said Bazin.
Lowell went up 1-0 on a hustle play started by junior left winger Ryan Collins behind the Cornell net. Collins beat two Big Red defenders to the puck and delivered a tape-to-tape feed to right winger Ryan Dmowski in the low slot. Dmowski one-timed a wrist shot that beat Cornell goalie Mitch Gillam high on the glove side for his eighth of the season.
Lowell went up 2-0 on a delayed penalty at 6:09 of the second. The extra skater had just joined the fray when senior defenseman Michael Kapla approached the Cornell goal from the right circle. Freshman center Ryan Lohin one-timed Kapla’s feed and beat Gillam to the near post for the first of his two goals. Kapla recorded his 27th assist of the season and 75th overall, the latter of which is a Lowell record for a defenseman.
“We’ve done a good job spreading out the scoring as of late, and hopefully we can continue,” said Lohin.
Lowell went ahead 3-0 when John Edwardh made a cross slot pass to C.J. Smith. The junior left winger flicked it by Gillam for his team-high 23rd of the season.
Cornell defenseman Patrick McGowan drew a five-minute major for interference at 14:08 that led to power-play goals by Lohin and Connor Wilson.