LOWELL, Mass. - Freshman F David Vallorani (Hamilton, Ont.) dished out two assists and junior G Carter Hutton (Thunder Bay, Ont.) stopped 26 shots as UMass Lowell defeated Providence College, 4-1, Friday night in the home opener in front of 6,193 at the Tsongas Arena.
With the victory, the River Hawks improved to 2-2-0 overall and 1-0-0 in Hockey East entering next Thursday's home clash against Quinnipiac (7:00). The Friars slipped to 1-2-0 overall and 0-2-0 in Hockey East and visits Holy Cross Saturday night at 7:05.
UMass Lowell had four different scorers on the night, led by junior F Nick Schaus (Orchard Park, N.Y.), who earned first star honors and opened the scoring 6:06 into the first period on a power play with help from Vallorani and freshman F Matt Ferreira (Brampton, Ont.).
The River Hawks doubled their lead 7:19 into the second period on a goal by senior Mark Roebothan (St. John's, Nfld.), with assists to senior Mike Potacco (Kinnelon, N.J.) and sophomore D Maury Edwards (Rocky Rapids, Alta.).
Vallorani earned his fifth assist on the season when he set up a goal by junior F Jonathan Maniff (Revere, Mass.) 10:38 in the second frame. Sophomore D Ryan Blair (Ashburn, Va.) was also credited with an assist.
Providence pulled one back 14:16 into the third frame when senior F Kyle Loughlin (Gambill, MD) earned his first goal of the season with help from sophomore D Eric Baier (North Kingstown, RI).
Junior F Paul Worthington (Penndel, Pa.) capped the scoring with an empty net goal at 19:35.
The Friars out-shot UMass Lowell 27-25.