There was no doubt that the Wisconsin men’s hockey team was one of the hottest teams in the nation entering the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately for the Badgers, they ran into a UMass-Lowell squad that was even hotter.
UW’s miraculous run that saw them go 21-5-5 after a 1-7-2 start and claim the 2013 WCHA playoff championship ended in the semifinals of the Northeast regional on Friday afternoon.
The Riverhawks flexed their collective muscles and proved to be the superior team in almost every facet of the game in which they emerged victorious by the decisive margin of 6-1.
UML struck first and never looked back. Joseph Pendenza lit the lamp for Lowell at the 7:11 mark of the first. That proved to be the only goal of the period.
Christian Folin pushed the RIverhawks’ edge to 2-0 just over three minutes into the second. His teammate, Shayne Thompson followed suit at 14:08 of the period making it a three-goal game heading into the final stanza.
Wisconsin simply could not solve Lowell’s standout netminder Connor Hellebuyck. The fifth round pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2012 NHL draft turned aside 17 shots in the first two frames. But, the Badgers finally broke through when Nic Kerdiles drove home a puck from the slot, bringing Wisconsin within two.
However, the Riverhawks had an answer. Derek Arnold put Lowell’s lead back to three with a score at the 13:56 mark.
UML went on to tack on two more, including an empty net goal, before it was all said and done.
Joel Rumpel made 20 saves for the Badgers.
Here are the reactions of the players:
and Head Coach Mike Eaves:
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