NORTHEASTERN TOPS UMASS LOWELL, 2-1
Freshman Steve Silva scores both goals for Huskies

Steve Silva scored his first two goals of the season for the Huskies

BOSTON, Mass. - Steve Silva scored the first two goals of his collegiate career to lead Northeastern to a 2-1 win over UMass Lowell on Saturday night. It capped a four-point weekend for the Huskies, who beat New Hampshire on Friday night by a score of 2-1. Both of Silva's goals were assisted by linemates Chad Costello and Ryan Ginand. Goalie Brad Thiessen made 21 saves for the win.

The win pushed Northeastern's unbeaten streak to five games (4-0-1). The Huskies improved to 5-4-1 and 5-3-1 in Hockey East. Northeastern is alone in first place in the Hockey East standings. UMass Lowell fell to 2-3-4 and 0-3-4 in Hockey East.

UMass Lowell scored the first goal of the game when Mark Roebothan centered the puck from behind the net to Scott Campbell in front and Campbell sent it past Thiessen at 7:14 in the fisrt period. The Huskies had a great scoring chance on a two-on-one shortly after when Chris Donovan stole a pass and took it into the UMass Lowell zone. He passed it to Kyle Kraemer on his left but Kraemer couldn't get it on net.

The Huskies evened the score at 10:55 in the first. Costello found an open Silva in front and Silva shot it past UMass Lowell goalie Nevin Hamilton to make it 1-1. It was Silva's first collegiate goal and Ryan Ginand also got an assist on the play.

Silva's second goal of the night put the Huskies on top for good. A quick pass from Costello to Ginand behind the net and another from Ginand to Silva in front put Silva in perfect position. Silva lifted it to the back of the net at 5:21 to put the Huskies up, 2-1.

UMass Lowell came out gunning in the third period and outshot the Huskies 12-5 but couldn't get the puck in the net. The River Hawks had a great scoring chance around the 11-minute mark in the third when Frank Stegnar got a point-blank shot that Thiessen saved. Ben Holstrom got the rebound in front but his shot went wide.

Thiessen allowed just one goal for the third time this season. He has allowed just seven goals over the last five games and is 4-0-1 with a 1.38 goals against average and a .956 save percentage over that span.

Northeastern's penalty kill was perfect again, holding UMass Lowell scoreless on seven advantages. Northeastern went one-for-five. Northeastern's penalty kill stood at 90.6 percent after the game, second-best in Hockey East. The Huskies outshot UMass Lowell 29-22 in the game.

The Huskies are back in action after Thanksgiving when they take on Boston College at Conte Forum on Friday, Nov. 23. The game will be on 890 ESPN Boston.