UMass Lowell Skates Past Merrimack, 4-1
Freshman forward C.J. Smith has goal and two assists for River Hawks

Freshman forward C.J. Smith had a goal and two assists for the River Hawks
Prd Time  Team Score Type Scored By Assists
1st 0:23  UML1-0 EV Zack Kamrass (5)Michael Kapla/14, Joe Gambardella/12
2nd 4:19  UML2-0 EV GW Joe Gambardella (7)C.J. Smith/12
2nd 7:48  MER1-2 EV Ben Bahe (2)Brian Christie/10, Jace Hennig/4
2nd 9:42  UML3-1 SH Adam Chapie (9) -
3rd 5:40  UML4-1 EV C.J. Smith (12) -
Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd Final
Merrimack  0101
UMass Lowell  1214
Shots on Goal 1st 2nd 3rd SOG
Merrimack  571123
UMass Lowell  78924
Team Stats and Records  PP PIM SHGF
Merrimack (14-9-3)  0/4 3/6 0
UMass Lowell (16-8-3)  0/2 6/20 1
Merrimack Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Rasmus Tirronen (L, 10-5-2)57:574 66820
Empty Net2:030     
UMass Lowell Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Kevin Boyle (W, 13-5-3)60:001 561122

LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell hockey team defeated Merrimack College 4-1, to end its four-game losing streak, Saturday night at the Tsongas Center in front of 6,351 fans.

"It's nice to get back on the winning track, I thought we had a good start tonight. I liked the energy again, I thought the discipline was good, and I liked how we closed out the game," said Head Coach Norm Bazin.

After being held to one goal on 51 shots during last night's contest, the River Hawks (16-8-3, 9-5-2) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Zack Kamrass (Atlanta, Ga.) fired a shot from above the circles that beat Rasmus Tirronen 23 seconds into the game, for his fifth goal of the season and 10th of his career.

UMass Lowell almost doubled its lead minutes later, while killing the Warriors' (14-9-3, 5-7-2) first power play, when Adam Chapie (Oxford, Mich.) hit a shot off the post with 14:19 on the clock. Evan Campbell (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) rang the pipe as well with 1:38 remaining the first period.

The River Hawks got their second goal of the night less than five minutes into the second period when Joe Gambardella (Staten Island, N.Y.) poked home his own rebound after Tirronen failed to cover the puck.

Ben Bahe got the visitors on the scoreboard with 12:12 to go in the period when his shot from below the circles got past Kevin Boyle (Manalapan, N.J.).

Less than 30 seconds later the puck rolled out from behind Boyle and the Warriors came inches away from tying up the game, but the River Hawk defense was able to clear the line. Jace Hennig had his chance to tie up the game on the power play but Boyle poked the puck away.

Chapie made up for his post earlier when he gathered a loose puck and fired it five-hole on Tirronen at 9:40, for the River Hawks' sixth shorthanded goal of the season.

With 6:38 remaining in the period, Boyle made a point blank save on a breakaway attempt by Brian Christie.

C.J. Smith added his 12th goal of the season on a wrister glove-side, off a mini breakaway after stealing the puck, at 5:40 of the third period to extend the UMass Lowell lead to 4-1.

Both teams went silent on the power play, going a combined 0-for-6, Merrimack coming up empty on four opportunities.

Boyle made 22 saves for his 13th win on the season, and seventh in conference play. Tirronen made 20 saves on the other end.

With his goal and two assists, the last five games that Smith has earned points have all been multi-point nights. The freshman tied his career-high with the three points, the first time since October 17 against Quinnipiac.

The River Hawks return to action on February 6 for a home clash against Boston University, puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at the Tsongas Center. Tickets for all remaining home games are available through the Tsongas Center Box Office, online at TsongasCenter.com or by calling 866-722-8780.