The Providence College Friars desperately needed points entering Friday’s tilt with the Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks. Providence’s Hockey East playoff chances hinged on it. That is why, as the season winds down, they are happy to walk away from every game with anything. The Friars picked up a crucial point with a 3-3 tie in a school record 11th overtime game this season.
“We got to get as many points as we can,” said Providence coach Tim Army. “We’re running out of time here. To come back and get a point down 3-1 is good. And UMass [Amherst] lost, so we’re back two points.”
Joeseph Pendenza scored twice for the River Hawks and Matt Germain did the same for the Friars. Matt Bergland picked up a goal as well for the Friars, as they came from down two goals in the second to earn the point with Lowell.
The wild second period featured six goals and 29 shots, with Providence outshooting Mass.-Lowell 16-13. The Friars took the lead before three straight goals gave UMass. a two-goal lead.
The scoring started when Germain gave Providence the lead just 27 seconds into the period. Germain’s 8th of the season went five-hole past Carr, but the lead would be short-lived.
Just 41 seconds later, the River Hawks answered right back with a goal from David Vallorani. Pendenza would score his two goals for the River Hawks to give them a 3-1 second period lead. Lowell leading scorer Riley Wetmore, 25 points, picked up an assist in the second period.
Pendenza’s first came four-on-four when he redirected the puck with his skate. He added another tally moments later with a snap shot past Beaudry just 13 seconds into an interference penalty on the Friars’ Derek Army.
“I thought we did not play very well in the first 30 minutes,” said Army. “I thought I saw some sloping shoulders. I told them they know what’s at stake. And I was glad to see the captains call them in.”
After a Providence timeout, Bergland cut the River Hawks lead to one with his third tally of the season at the 13:35 mark. Germain picked up his second goal a minute later to tie the game at three. Andy Balasky picked up an assist on each of Germain’s goals to give him four helpers on the season.
“It was a poor decision on the second goal,” said Lowell coach Blaise MacDonald “The third goal was just puck luck. It bounced off the glass and right out in front of the net. It was good luck for them and bad luck for us.”
The Friars had a goal waived off in the third by the official, which was their best opportunity of the period.
The River Hawks found success on just the one power-play in the second and finished the game 1-for-5. The Friars only had the man advantage once through the first two periods, managing three shots on a scoreless effort. Providence also had to kill off a penalty to Daniel New to close out the overtime period.
Alex Beaudry made 33 saves while freshman Doug Carr stopped 39 shots in the tie. Carr also kept Providence leading scorer Kyle MacKinnon off the scoreboard, MacKinnon managed two shots and was minus-2 on the night.
The Friars begin the weekend home-and-home series having serious Hockey East playoff hopes. They trail Massachusetts and the University of Vermont by three points entering the night for the one of the remaining playoff spots. Providence holds the tiebreaker againThe Providence College Friars desperately needed points entering Friday’s tilt with the Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks. Providence’s Hockey East playoff chances hinged on it. That is why, as the season winds down, they are happy to walk away from every game with anything. The Friars picked up a crucial point with a 3-3 tie in a school record 11th overtime game this season.
“We got to get as many points as we can,” said Providence coach Tim Army. “We’re running out of time here. To come back and get a point down 3-1 is good. And UMass [Amherst] lost, so we’re back two points.”
Joeseph Pendenza scored twice for the River Hawks and Matt Germain did the same for the Friars. Matt Bergland picked up a goal as well for the Friars, as they came from down two goals in the second to earn the point with Lowell.
The wild second period featured six goals and 29 shots, with Providence outshooting Mass.-Lowell 16-13. The Friars took the lead before three straight goals gave UMass. a two-goal lead.
The scoring started when Germain gave Providence the lead just 27 seconds into the period. Germain’s 8th of the season went five-hole past Carr, but the lead would be short-lived.
Just 41 seconds later, the River Hawks answered right back with a goal from David Vallorani. Pendenza would score his two goals for the River Hawks to give them a 3-1 second period lead. Lowell leading scorer Riley Wetmore, 25 points, picked up an assist in the second period.
Pendenza’s first came four-on-four when he redirected the puck with his skate. He added another tally moments later with a snap shot past Beaudry just 13 seconds into an interference penalty on the Friars’ Derek Army.
“I thought we did not play very well in the first 30 minutes,” said Army. “I thought I saw some sloping shoulders. I told them they know what’s at stake. And I was glad to see the captains call them in.”
After a Providence timeout, Bergland cut the River Hawks lead to one with his third tally of the season at the 13:35 mark. Germain picked up his second goal a minute later to tie the game at three. Andy Balasky picked up an assist on each of Germain’s goals to give him four helpers on the season.
“It was a poor decision on the second goal,” said Lowell coach Blaise MacDonald “The third goal was just puck luck. It bounced off the glass and right out in front of the net. It was good luck for them and bad luck for us.”
The Friars had a goal waived off in the third by the official, which was their best opportunity of the period.
The River Hawks found success on just the one power-play in the second and finished the game 1-for-5. The Friars only had the man advantage once through the first two periods, managing three shots on a scoreless effort. Providence also had to kill off a penalty to Daniel New to close out the overtime period.
Alex Beaudry made 33 saves while freshman Doug Carr stopped 39 shots in the tie. Carr also kept Providence leading scorer Kyle MacKinnon off the scoreboard, MacKinnon managed two shots and was minus-2 on the night.
The Friars begin the weekend home-and-home series having serious Hockey East playoff hopes. They trail Massachusetts and the University of Vermont by three points entering the night for the one of the remaining playoff spots. Providence holds the tiebreaker against the Minuteman, who have to play No. 2 Boston College and No. 16 Maine in the final two weekends.
The River Hawks, entering Friday’s action, are the only team eliminated from playoff contention in Hockey East. The River Hawks can play spoiler for Providence and Vermont, as they will play Providence once more and Vermont twice to end the season.
“We’re kind of creeping along the last couple weeks,” Army said. “But in there [Providence locker room], they know there is a chance. They’re playing for something.”st the Minuteman, who have to play No. 2 Boston College and No. 16 Maine in the final two weekends.
The River Hawks, entering Friday’s action, are the only team eliminated from playoff contention in Hockey East. The River Hawks can play spoiler for Providence and Vermont, as they will play Providence once more and Vermont twice to end the season.
“We’re kind of creeping along the last couple weeks,” Army said. “But in there [Providence locker room], they know there is a chance. They’re playing for something.”
