COLE CLEANING UP IN DIRTY SCORING AREAS
Junior forward has pocketed six goals in last seven games
LOWELL >> By going to the dirty areas on the ice, Owen Cole is cleaning up.
The Umass Lowell junior has scored six goals in his last seven games, and there’s nothing fancy about his hot streak. Though not big, the 5-foot-10, 183-pound Cole isn’t afraid to skate near the opposing net.
That’s where punishment comes from physical defensemen. That’s also where five of his six latest goals have come from.
“The abuse doesn’t hurt when the puck’s going into the net,” the native of Dunnville, Ontario said.
Cole is the team co-leader in goals with nine, tying sophomore Nick Rheaume, and his 16 points tie him for the scoring lead with sophomore Scout Truman. Like most players who play Division 1, Cole scored plenty in junior hockey. But six goals in seven games? That may be new territory for the hard-working Cole.
Asked if he’s ever had such a streak, he said, “Nothing that comes to mind, to be honest with you. I’ve always been a pass-first guy. That’s what my dad instilled in me growing up. It’s not like I’m doing something differently.”
Cole credits his linemates for much of his success.
He began a five-game goal scoring streak during a Dec. 30 game against AIC. He then found the back of the net against Omaha, Harvard and Maine (back-to-back games). He was blanked last Friday against Providence, but then scored in the rematch with the Friars the next night.
“In college hockey teams are much better defensively,” he said. “The goalies are also a step above.”
Cole scored three goals as a freshman and four as a sophomore. Learning to go to the dirty areas has paid off in a major way.
“He’s around the net. If you want to score you have to be in the dirty areas,” said head coach Norm Bazin, “and he’s in those dirty areas. We’re hoping it continues. He’s honest. He’s dependable. He’s someone you build around.”
Freshman surging
The coaching staff had high
hopes for freshman forward Jak Vaarwerk entering the season. He’s starting to get into an offensive rhythm. Entering this weekend, his 3-7-10 line has him tied for fifth in scoring.
“I definitely feel more comfortable,” he said, noting his confidence rose when he scored his first collegiate goal right before the Christmas break. “When you get into college most of the kids are the best of the best. The last 10 games I’ve finally felt like the player
I’ve been.”
He has points in four of his last five games and scored a nifty goal last weekend against Providence.
A native of Clarence, N.Y., and a diehard Buffalo Bills fan, Vaarwerk is still nursing a bit of a broken heart over his favorite NFL team’s playoff loss to Kansas City.
Home blues
UML (7-16-2, 3-10-1) is mired in last place in Hockey East after its fourgame losing streak. The River Hawks are one point behind Merrimack, though they have played one less game than the Warriors.
The most distressing stat? The River Hawks are only 1-7-1 at home.
“It’s frustrating. It’s disappointing,” Bazin said. “All of the above. The coaches are as frustrated as the players.”
The good news? On Tuesday morning, Bazin received news that everyone on the team was healthy enough to practice (not including sophomore forward Owen Fowler, who’s out for the season with an injury). That’s the first time that’s happened since October. Among those returning to practice was senior goaltender Henry Welsch.
The bad news?
UML’S lone game this weekend (Friday, 7;15 p.m., Tsongas Center) is against Boston College, the topranked team in the nation. The Eagles are coming off a weekend sweep of rival BU, which had been No. 1.
“They’re a fast team. They have a hell of a power play,” Bazin said.
Loose pucks
Roc Truman was still smiling after Tuesday’s practice. Who could blame him? The sophomore forward, the brother of Scout, had never dressed in a college game when he got the nod Saturday in Providence. He scored to give
UML a 2-1 lead during what would turn into a 4-3 overtime loss.
“At the end of the day it was the moment I was looking for,” he said. “When it went in, words can’t describe what I was feeling. My heart was going a million miles an hour.” … Spotted at practice Tuesday: EXUML star Shane Henry, one of the program’s finest forwards and a four-year teammate of Bazin’s. … Vaarwerk isn’t the only freshman starting to emerge. Saugus native Jaiden Moriello picked up two assists last weekend and has four points in his last seven games.