UMASS LOWELL DEFEATS MASSACHUSETTS, 3-1

Ben Holmstrom had two assists for the River Hawks

LOWELL, Mass. (Jan. 19, 2008) - Maury Edwards (Rocky Rapids, Alb.) scored a power play goal for the second straight night as No. 15 UMass Lowell defeated No. 10 Massachusetts, 3-1, Saturday night in Hockey East action at the Tsongas Arena.

The River Hawks improve to 11-6-4 overall and 6-6-4 in league play with the victory. UML has won seven of its last 10 games, and improves to 8-2-1 at home this season. The Minutemen have lost four straight and fall to 9-7-5 overall and 4-6-4 against Hockey East competition.

In addition to Edwards, Kory Falite (Billerica, Mass.) and Mark Roebothan (St. John's, Nfld.) scored for the River Hawks. Jordan Virtue (Walpole, Mass.) scored for the Minutemen.

Virtue opened the scoring in the game with a sharp-angle shot from the right side of the net at 11:09 of the second period. The goal, his second of the season, was assisted by Brian Keane (Shortsville, N.Y.) and David Leaderer (Rochester, N.Y.).

Falite evened the score at the 18:41 mark of the second with his ninth of the season. Falite has goals in three straight games. Ben Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, Colo.) had the only assist on Falite's marker.

Edwards gave the River Hawks the lead with a snap-wrister in the slot at 13:22 on the power play. Holmstrom and Jeremy Dehner (Madison, Wis.) had the assists. Edwards has a team-high four power play goals on the season and one in each of the last two games.

Roebothan made it 3-1 UML with an empty net goal at 19:43 of the third, his 11th goal of the season. Scott Campbell (Navan, Ont.) and Barry Goers (Ivyland, Pa.) earned the assists).

Nevin Hamilton (Ashland, Mass.) made 20 saves for his seventh win of the season. Hamilton has won four straight starts.

Paul Dainton (Genelle, B.C.) stopped 25 UMass Lowell shots, but took the loss.

The River Hawks out-shot the Minutemen 28 to 21 for the game, including 13-4 in the third period. The first 10 shots of the game for UMass came on the power play, as its first even strength shot was Virtue's goal. For the game, Massachusetts had 13 power play shots and just eight even strength shots.

The River Hawks were 2-for-5 on the power play, their second straight multiple power play goal game in a row. The Minutemen were 0-for-6 on the man-advantage.

UMass Lowell returns to the ice Friday night for the first of two home games against Minnesota Duluth. Massachusetts is next in action Friday night for the first of a two-game home series with Vermont.