BOSTON — Contributions from the entire UMass-Lowell roster lifted the River Hawks to their third straight Hockey East championship game with a 4-1 win over Vermont Friday night in the league semifinals at the TD Garden.
“You don’t always get contributions from all four lines, but it’s sure a nice thing when it does happen,” said UMass-Lowell coach Norm Bazin.
[scg_html_hea2015]Nine players recorded a point in the River Hawks’ win, and their depth wore down a Catamounts team that had been playing for its season for what felt like forever to coach Kevin Sneddon.
“This was our fourth game with our backs against the wall,” said Sneddon.
Both teams jumped on the ice with a do-or-die attitude, and Vermont struck first. UMass-Lowell defender Dylan Zink was tripped by the stick of a Vermont defenseman, giving the Catamounts a two-on-one. Jonathan Turk slid the puck to Kevin Irwin, who shot center on River Hawks goaltender Kevin Boyle to score 11:42 into the game.
Bazin wasn’t exactly pleased as punch with the lack of a tripping call. “I think there was a little bit of interference there,” he said, “but I thought our response was quick.”
The River Hawks didn’t let the Vermont goal get into their head, and found their chance shortly after. Penalties by the Catamounts’ Jarrid Privitera and Brendan Bradley gave UMass-Lowell a five-on-three advantage. Just 11 seconds in, Michael Louria wound up for a shot from the blue line that sailed past Vermont goalie Brody Hoffman.
The shot was originally thought to be tipped in by A.J. White but found the back of the net all on its own, tying the game 12:08 into the first period.
“Those were two big mistakes that gave them life,” said Sneddon.
After a scoreless remainder of the first period, UMass-Lowell stepped up its defensive game, interrupting Vermont’s passing lanes. The River Hawks (21-11-6) started to win more neutral-zone battles, which sprung their game-winner.
Michael Louria rushed up the right side of the ice, skidded to a stop outside of the right faceoff dot and took a shot. Hoffman was out of position and couldn’t make the stop.
“That second goal hurt a little bit,” said Sneddon. “It normally isn’t one that he would give up.”
That second goal sent UMass-Lowell on a possession tear that tired Vermont out. Hoffman and his defenders blocked, snagged and mucked up 10 shots in the middle frame, but the River Hawks were undeterred. They closed in on the Catamounts net and wouldn’t take their foot off the pedal.
The River Hawks’ intensity continued in the third period. With just over 11 minutes left in the game, the River Hawks’ Terrence Wallin tried to sneak in a shot over Hoffman’s right skate, but he made the stop. Jake Kamrass picked up the rebound and skated around the net, handing it off to Michael Colantone. Colantone passed to Wallin, who got off a wrister from the right faceoff circle that gave UMass-Lowell a two-goal lead.
Brady Shaw and Mike Paliotta had solid scoring opportunities in the game’s waning minutes, but Boyle stopped all 12 third-period shots he faced on his way to a 30-save evening.
“He’s been getting better as the season goes along, and I thought in the playoffs he’s brought it to another level,” said Bazin.
Despite the result, Sneddon said he was pleased with the amount of effort his Catamounts (22-15-4) left on the ice. Hoffman ended the night with 32 saves, and there was never a time that Vermont simply gave up.
“This team gave everything they could every day of the year,” said Sneddon. “I’m proud of our team. Disappointed, but proud of our team.”
