River Hawks Lock Down Minnesota State

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Matt LaPan, GoLocal Worcester Sports Reporter

Hockey fans in Worcester, Massachusetts were treated to a physical defensive matchup Saturday night as UMass Lowell edged out Minnesota State 2-1 at the DCU Center.

Both teams were led into action by their goaltenders: Cole Huggins for the Mavericks and Connor Hellebuyck for the River Hawks. The two net-minders tied for 2nd in the country this season with six shutouts. Although they did not get shutouts on this evening, they both played as advertised.

The scoring started in the 1st Period when Joe Pandenza got the River Hawks started with a short-handed breakaway backhand that fooled Huggins and found the back of the net at the 12:54 mark.

Following that goal the two defenses took over the game. The two teams combined to hit five posts as Michael Fallon, either team was able to muster enough offense until the River Hawks found the back of an open net thanks to Zack Kamrass.

Minnesota State did get on the board late in the game on a Zach Stephan goal, but it was not enough for the Mavericks as the River Hawks defense shut the door. The goal by the Mavericks ended a shutout streak of 201:44 for Umass goalie Connor Hellebuyck, dating back to his dominant run in the Hockey East tournament.

The win for the River Hawks sets up a highly anticipated game with Boston College, who won 6-2 over Denver earlier in the night, for the right to play in the Final 4. That game will be at the DCU Center in Worcester on Sunday night at 5 pm.

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