Despite an early lead, the University of Maine put itself behind the eight ball, falling to the University of Massachusetts in Game 1 of a Hockey East quarterfinal 4-1.
An early goal by UMaine sophomore Jake Rutt gave the Black Bears a lead at the first intermission, but a game-tying goal in the second followed by three third-period goals gave the Riverhawks the win. Sophomore forward Scott Wilson finished with two goals for the Riverhawks.
“It was a missed opportunity for us,” said UMaine head coach Tim Whitehead. “I liked our composure but in the second period we had a feeling they were going to get some calls. We had them killed off until the last one and that was a key play. ”
During the first period, each team’s defense held its ground early, with multiple scoring chances squandered for each team.
The Black Bears had an early power-play opportunity 6 minutes into the period when freshman defender Christian Folin tripped up UMaine’s Steve Swavely. The Black Bears looked disorganized during the man advantage and couldn’t come up with many chances.
Midway through the period, UMaine senior defender Mark Nemec had a terrific opportunity in front of the net, but the captain whiffed on the one-timer.
Twelve minutes into the first period, the Black Bears had another power-play chance and made good work this time. After freshman defender Ben Hutton rang the crossbar on the opening faceoff, Rutt gathered the puck near the blue line late in the power play and fired a shot toward Lowell goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Weaving through traffic, the puck beat Hellebuyck and put the Black Bears on the board.
“I think we had them on their heels in the first period,” said senior forward Kyle Beattie. “But we weren’t able to sustain pressure.”
The second period was mostly controlled by the Riverhawks, aided by three penalties by the Black Bears, including a game-tying power-play goal late in the period by Wilson.
Midway through the period, the Black Bears had another power-play opportunity when freshman forward Adam Chapie was booked for slashing. Unlike the first period, the Black Bears weren’t able to capitalize.
Instead, it was Lowell that had the upper hand in special teams, scoring after Beattie was booked for tripping. Wilson fired the shot from the right faceoff circle past junior Martin Ouellette. The goal was under review for a couple minutes before being upheld. Junior defender Chad Ruhwedel and junior forward Josh Holmstrom assisted on the goal.
Through two periods, the Riverhawks held a 22-16 shot advantage.
The Riverhawks continued their momentum from the second period, breaking the game open early in the third with two goals in quick succession. Two minutes into the third period, Wilson netted his second goal of the game off assists from Folin and freshman center Michael Fallon.
Just 20 seconds later, Lowell scored its third goal when junior center Joseph Pendenza put in the rebound off linemate’s A.J. White’s shot.
The Riverhawks expanded its lead to three after Beattie picked up his third penalty of the game, this time for hooking. Holmstrom gathered the puck from senior center Riley Wetmore and flicked it past Ouellette, giving Lowell a 4-1 lead.
A pretty power-play goal by freshman Devin Shore brought UMaine within two, but it was too little too late as Lowell closed out the 4-2 victory.
All six of UMaine’s penalties were doled out to seniors — three each for Beattie and senior forward Joey Diamond.
“Again penalties was the difference, and when you’re looking at it, we’re talking about seniors — Beattie, Diamond — with stick penalties,” Whitehead said. “That swung the momentum of the game.
“We need to stay out of the box if we’re going to beat this team, because this team is good.”
Each team meets at the Tsongas Center Friday night at 7 p.m. UMaine must win to keep its season alive.