Icecats 4, UMass-Lowell 2
Things are final here at Tsongas Arena, where Matt Fornataro scored twice, Kevin Regan stopped 39 shots, and the No. 2 University of New Hampshire hockey team extended its unbeaten streak to 11 games with a 4-2 win over UMass-Lowell.
GAME RECAP
UNH (12-2-1, 10-1-1) 2 0 2 -- 4
UML (3-8-3, 2-6-2) 0 2 0 -- 2
GOALIE SAVES
Kevin Regan (UNH) 13-16-10 -- 39
Carter Hutton (UML) 12-6-8 -- 26
The Wildcats got on the board just 47 seconds into play, when Jamie Fritsch fired a one-timer from the left point that was redirected by Matt Fornataro on its way toward the net. Goalie Carter Hutton had no chance, and UNH had a 1-0 lead.
Mike Radja then doubled the advantage with 1:51 left in the opening stanza, tipping a puck that died in the low slot after Fritsch's point blast was blocked and Brett Hemingway fired into traffic.
In the second period, though, Lowell carried play and was rewarded for its efforts with goals from Jason Tejchma (less than four minutes in) and Jeremy Hall. Tejchma's came when UNH couldn't clear he or Jason Bergeron from the goalmouth, and passed back and forth from short range until Hall tipped home the rubber. Hall then roofed a shot in transition past Kevin Regan's glove side.
UNH killed a Lowell power play early in the third, then scored two quick ones to take command. First came Fornataro's second of the game, on a dazzling assist in transition by Jerry Pollastrone, and then came an extra-man score from Hemingway on a feed from Radja.
GAME NOTES
- Kevin Regan made his 14th start in 15 games.
- UNH outshot UML 14-13 in the opening period despite two River Hawk power plays.
- UML outshot UNH 18-6 in the second period.
- Fornataro's first goal was his sixth of the season, moving him one point ahead of his tally total in all of last year. It also gave him 21 points, establishing a new career high for a season.
- The Wildcats are now 7-0-0 when leading after a period, and 8-1-0 when scoring first.
- UNH is now 8-0-0 on the road, which is the best start away from home in school history.
- Lowell was 1-for-4 on the power play, while UNH was 1-for-3.
- Fritsch and Trevor Smith each had two assists for UNH. Radja and Hemingway each had a goal and an assist.
- Fritsch and Chris Murray were on the ice for all four UNH goals, and neither of the UML goals, finishing plus-3 for the night.
