Wednesday, December 6, 2006
NEW HAMPSHIRE DEFEATS UMASS LOWELL, 4-2
Junior Matt Fornataro scores two goals for the Wildcats
Box Score

LOWELL, MA (Dec. 6, 2006) – Matt Fornataro (Calgary, AB) led five Wildcat players with multiple points as No. 2 New Hampshire defeated UMass Lowell, 4-2, in college hockey action Wednesday night at Tsongas Arena.

With the win, UNH improves to 12-2-1 overall and 10-1-1 in Hockey East play. UML falls to 3-8-3 overall and 2-6-2 in league play. The Wildcats have won eight straight, while the River Hawks have dropped six in a row.

In addition to Fornataro, Jamie Fritsch (Odenton, MD), Mike Radja (Yorkville, IL), Trevor Smith and Brett Hemingway (Surrey, BC) had multiple-point games. Fornataro scored two goals, including the game-winner. Fritsch and Smith had two assists each, while Radja and Hemingway each had a goal and an assist.

Jason Tejchma (Muskegon, MI) and Jeremy Hall (Mays Landing, NJ) scored for the River Hawks. Fornataro opened the scoring just 47 seconds into the contest. Radja scored at 18:09 of the opening stanza to give UNH a 2-0 lead after one period of play.

UML tied the game in the second period, beginning with Tejchma’s power play goal at 3:42. Jason Bergeron (Ancaster, ONT) and Frank Stegnar (Toronto, ONT) earned the assists on the strike. Jeremy Hall netted the equalizer at 17:57 of the second with assists from Paul Worthington (Langhorne, PA) and Barry Goers (Ivyland, PA)

Fornataro scored the game-winner 4:50 into the third period with assists from Smith and Jerry Palastrone (Revere, MA). Hemingway concluded the scoring, netting his fifth marker of the season at 7:09. Radja and Jacob Micflickier (Winnipeg, MAN) earned the assists.

UML out-shot UNH 41-30 for the game and have held the advantage in shots in 10 of its last 12 games. New Hampshire went 1-for-3 on the power play. The River Hawks were 1-for-4 on the man-advantage.

“UNH is a very hot team and well deserving of their rankings and winning streak,” said UML head coach Blaise MacDonald. “They pay attention to details and have high skill level. They’re great without the puck. They’re a team that we aspire to be like.”

The River Hawks return to the ice Sunday afternoon when they host the St. Lawrence Saints. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. The Saints are at UNH Friday night.