LOWELL, Mass.-Led by three-point nights from seniors Carl Berglund (Hammaro, Sweden) and Brian Chambers (Weymouth, Mass.), the UMass Lowell men's hockey team (2-1-0, 0-0-0 HEA) secured the weekend split against Miami University (OH) (2-1-1, 0-0-0 NCHC) Saturday night with a 4-2 win at the Tsongas Center.
Berglund and Chambers led the River Hawks' thrilling comeback win against the visiting RedHawks with three points each. Berglund netted a pair of goals and picked up one assist, while Chambers dished out a career-high three helpers in the non-conference clash. Graduate student Filip Fornåå Svensson (Linköping, Sweden) picked up his first points in a River Hawk uniform with the game-winning goal as well as an assist on Berglund's second of the game. Senior Jake Stella (Karlstad, Sweden) also earned his first point in the blue and red, notching an assist.
Senior Marek Korencik (Zilina, Slovakia) scored his first of the season and his first on home ice to lock things up for the River Hawks in the second frame. The defender served as a key net-front presence for UMass Lowell as well, blocking a team-best two shots alongside senior Zach Kaiser (Orangeville, Ontario).
Graduate student Gustavs Davis Grigals (Riga, Latvia) continued his impressive performance between the pipes with 22 saves and just two goals against to move to a 2-0-0 mark this year.
"I was pleased with the rebound effort in our first weekend with back-to-back games. The guys got better as the game progressed and I feel like the conditioning is improving," remarked Head Coach Norm Bazin. "Our upperclassmen showed the way tonight specifically, Wells, Berglund, Kaiser, Korencik and Stella. We will have more game footage to work on our game so we can prepare for our next opponent."
The River Hawks were quick to the chase, putting on the heat with a consistent presence in the slot. Kaiser got UMass Lowell's first solid chance on net after battling through a two-on-one to backhand a shot at Miami's Ludvig Persson's chest. Adding to the attack, sophomore Stefan Owens (Midlothian, Va.) came out with a hot stick in his season debut. The center took a diving chance from the strong side point but was held off by Persson once again.
A boarding call against the River Hawks sent the team down a man just under seven minutes into the action. Taking a shot from RedHawks' defenseman Hampus Rydqvist off the chest pad, Grigals lost his handle on the puck and a scuffle for possession ensued on the doorstep. The seasoned netminder quickly rebounded to shut down a second touch from Matthew Barbolini from close range, but Grigals was unable to track the play through the traffic as Miami picked up the first of the night for a 1-0 lead.
UMass Lowell earned an extra-man chance later in the frame when the RedHawks were called for a slash at 14:35. With time expiring on the two-minute window, sophomore Matt Crasa (South Setauket, N.Y.) saw junior Ben Meehan (Walpole, Mass.) open on the blue line. The winger connected with Meehan, who clapped a one-timer toward Persson. Meehan's high-velocity shot made solid contact, but Persson kept the puck from crossing the goal line even after a second chance from sophomore Owen Cole (Dunnville, Ontario).
Grigals' agility came to play in the final moments of the frame as RedHawks' center Blake Mesenburg went one-on-one with junior Brehdan Engum (Burnsville, Minn.). Engum's towering presence kept Mesenburg unsteady on his skates, allowing Grigals to make a pad save. Miami's Chase Pletzke came in hot for the rebound, knocking a shot right back at Grigals. The Latvian-born goalie made the second save, however, falling into a split to keep Miami to just a 1-0 margin heading into the first intermission.
Grigals continued his extraordinary backstopping through the middle frame as he shut down several close-range shots from the RedHawks to keep them at bay. With one extra-man tally on the board, Miami fought to add another as they headed to the power play. Barbolini found his way back to the doorstep with a shot up close, but Grigals remained unphased as he knocked the puck away.
The River Hawks' offensive production paid off midway through the second half. Cruising through the neutral zone, Korencik corralled the puck at the blue line and sent it behind the goal along the boards. A battle between Miami and UMass Lowell ensued with both teams vying to get a stick on and set the play into motion. Graduate student Jon McDonald (Livonia, Mich.) reached ahead to poke the puck free, which allowed Korencik to wind up and slap one through the five-hole to net the equalizer.
The 1-1 stalemate was short-lived, however. Just 34 seconds into the third frame, Berglund captured the River Hawks' first lead of the weekend after time expired on an extra-man chance for the home team. Wrapping around from behind Persson, Chambers missed on a shot attempt but quickly recovered the puck. The senior connected with Berglund through traffic and the Swedish forward capitalized. Although the puck was redirected off the pad, Berglund followed the rebound and tucked in his first of the night.
A minute and a half later, UMass Lowell earned another scoring opportunity when Barbolini was called for a hit after the whistle at 1:09. Berglund and Chambers returned to the ice with the River Hawks' special teams unit in hopes of keeping their hot streak alive. The duo teamed up to draw the Miami defense towards the blocker side of Persson, allowing Fornåå Svensson to sneak his way to the top of the faceoff circle. Unmanned, the graduate transfer unleashed a lethal wrister past Persson to log his first as a River Hawk and earn the 3-1 advantage.
UMass Lowell maintained its unstoppable third-period momentum with the help of the electric trio of Berglund, Chambers and Fornåå Svensson once more with just under eight minutes left in the action. Chambers, locked up with his man along the boards, nudged the puck out of Miami's reach to a nearby Fornåå Svensson. The forward planted himself and took a quick look to Berglund coming down the slot, who smacked the puck off the bar to cement his three-point night.
Although the RedHawks picked up one final tally off a shot from PJ Fletcher, UMass Lowell's physicality, unrelenting offense and standout goaltending secured the series split with the 4-2 decision.
Next up, the River Hawks hit the road for their first trip of the season, Oct. 13-14, when they visit Michigan State. Puck drop for the pair of games is slated for 7 p.m.
