LOWELL, Mass. - Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego, Calif.) scored a goal and two assists, while Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.) made 16 saves for his first collegiate shutout in a 4-0 River Hawk win over Massachusetts in front of 4,924 fans on Saturday night in the Tsongas Center.
UMass Lowell improved to 6-4-0 on the year, surpassing its 2010-11 win total, and 4-3-0 in Hockey East play. The Minutemen had their four-game unbeaten streak snapped as they fell to 4-5-3 overall and 2-5-3 in conference action.
The clubs skated to a scoreless first period that featured a back-and-forth approach from each team. The River Hawks nearly notched the game's first goal as Zack Kamrass (Atlanta, Ga.) rung a shot off of the post with 2:03 remaining in the period on a power play.
What started as a night short on scoring was flipped on its head over the final 40 minutes as UMass Lowell lit the lamp four times.
Senior David Vallorani (Hamilton, Ont.) started off the fireworks with a power play tally at 10:44 into the second. After collecting a pass from Ruhwedel at the near point, Vallorani skated in a few strides and placed a perfect wrist shot over Steve Mastalerz's (North Andover, Mass.) shoulder.
Just over three minutes later, fellow senior Tim Corcoran (Milton, Mass.) scored his first collegiate goal. Sophomore Joseph Pendenza (Wilmington, Mass.) sent the puck from the corner to Corcoran at the point. The veteran defenseman spotted traffic at the net and flung a shot through the bodies and into the mesh at 13:38.
Massachusetts was able to shut down the attack for most of the third period, but UMass Lowell broke back through in the final five minutes. With the teams skating four-on-four, Ruhwedel blocked a shot in the River Hawks' zone, collected the puck and skated the length of the ice to beat Mastalerz with a top-shelf shot at 15:01.
UMass Lowell potted one final power play tally with 2:29 remaining. Junior Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.) skated from behind the net, hit the goalie with a shot, then put the rebound back in for the goal.
Standing tall to the task, goaltender Carr made 16 saves and blanked five power play chances to record his first career shutout - the River Hawks' first since Feb. 26, 2010.
Massachusetts' Mastalerz stopped 30-of-34 shots as he fell to 1-1-0 on the year while allowing two UMass Lowell power play goals in five chances.
Up next, the River Hawks host Alabama-Huntsville on Nov. 25 at 4 p.m., while the Minutemen travel to Vermont on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.