PRINCETON, N.J. (November 12, 2013) - Playing in the second game of a four games in seven nights stretch, the UMass Lowell River Hawks' (6-4-0, 2-1-0 Hockey East) got back in the win column with a 2-1 win over the Princeton University Tigers (1-6-0, 0-4-0 ECAC). The River Hawks handed the Tigers their sixth straight loss while stopping their own mini slide at one.
Special teams were again the story of the game for UMass Lowell as both of their goals came on the power play. After starting the season just 1 for 25 with the man advantage, the River Hawks have gone on a 10-for-27 tear (37.0%) to increase their power play to 11-52 (21.2%) overall. The penalty killing unit has also chipped in, holding opponents to just 8 goals in 47 chances (83.0%).
Despite a lopsided effort in shots, 16-8, in the first period, the two teams came out of the first stanza knotted at 1. Princeton got the first one, as Arron Ave got one past senior River Hawk netminder Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.) at 16:45. Freshman forward Chris Maniccia (St. Catharine's, Ont.) tied things up at 1-1, scoring on the power play with just 1:00 showing on the clock in the first period.
UMass Lowell again outshot the Tigers in the second, 11-6, but could not solve Princeton goaltender Sean Bonar. 15 seconds into the third period, Derek Arnold (Foxboro, Mass.) was credited with what would eventually prove to be the game-winner, netting UMass Lowell's second power play goal of the night. Chris Maniccia looked to close the door with a breakaway with under 2 minutes to play, rifling one over Bonar's shoulder that would clang off the cross bar. The River Hawks would hold on for the 2-1 win, outshooting the host Tigers 31-20. Carr picked up his 3rd win of the season (3-1-0) while Bonar took his third loss (1-3-0).
The River Hawks will continue their weeklong road trip, leaving Princeton, N.J. tomorrow morning to bus to College Station, Penn. where they will face the Penn State Nittany Lions Thursday and Friday at 7 PM. Princeton will host a pair of Ivy League opponents next weekend with Dartmouth coming to town Friday followed by Harvard on Saturday.
NEXT HOME SERIES: UMASS LOWELL VS. NOTRE DAME: UMass Lowell will host Notre Dame for the first time in team history on Friday, November 22 at 7 PM and Saturday, November 23 at 4 PM. 2013-14 marks the first season in Hockey East for the Fighting Irish. Tickets for the games are on sale now and can be purchased at the Tsongas Center Box Office Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM. Fans may also purchase tickets online at TsongasCenter.com or by contacting Andrew Ralph (andrew_ralph@uml.edu; 978-934-5749) or Joe Fellini (joseph_fellini@uml.edu; 978-934-5751).