The UMass Lowell men’s hockey team faced a challenging defeat at home against the 10th-ranked UConn, losing 5-1 on March 16, 2024. Despite a promising start, UMass Lowell could not maintain momentum, allowing UConn to secure a decisive victory at the Tsongas Center. Freshman goalie Kam Hendrickson stood out for the Huskies, making 28 saves, while teammate Joey Muldowney scored twice to help clinch the win.
The matchup was critical for both teams, each vying for position in the Hockey East standings. UMass Lowell entered the contest with a record of 7-13-0 overall and 3-7-0 in conference play, coming off a 5-3 victory against UConn the previous night in Hartford. However, they struggled to convert opportunities in this game, a stark contrast to their earlier performance.
Game Overview and Key Moments
UMass Lowell initially took the lead when freshman defenseman Luke Shipley capitalized on a power play at the 17:10 mark, scoring just 20 seconds into the opportunity. Assists came from Diego Buttazzoni and Dalyn Wakely. The River Hawks maintained the lead until UConn equalized with an unassisted goal from sophomore defenseman Trey Scott at the 9:30 mark.
Hendrickson’s impressive play was pivotal throughout the first period, highlighted by a remarkable diving save that preserved the tie. The period concluded with the teams locked at 1-1, with UMass Lowell edging UConn in shots on goal, 9-8.
The second period saw UConn ramp up their offensive pressure. Muldowney scored his first goal of the night at the 14:40 mark, putting UConn ahead 2-1. Despite several attempts by UMass Lowell to equalize, Hendrickson’s continued excellence in goal proved crucial, as he thwarted multiple scoring threats.
As the second period came to a close, UMass Lowell had another chance to score during a holding penalty against UConn, but once again, they failed to convert. The score remained 2-1 as they entered the final frame.
Final Period Developments
The third period began with a power play opportunity for UMass Lowell when UConn was penalized for tripping. Despite the chance, they could not capitalize, and UConn’s defense held firm. The game took a turn when UMass Lowell pulled their goaltender Austin Elliott with two and a half minutes remaining in hopes of staging a comeback.
That decision backfired as Muldowney scored his second goal at the 1:30 mark to extend UConn’s lead to 3-1. UConn added two more goals in the final moments, including an open-net tally with just nine seconds left, solidifying their victory.
Post-game, UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin reflected on the match, stating, “Overall I thought it was a good hockey game for 58 minutes. I think we kind of fell apart at the end, and that’s a learning and maturity thing that we have to get through.” He noted that UConn’s penalty kill had effectively outperformed their power play during critical moments.
This loss highlights the ongoing challenges for UMass Lowell as they look to improve their performance in the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, UConn continues to build on their successful campaign, further solidifying their position within Hockey East.
