Ice hockey falls to No. 17 UMass Lowell

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – A three-goal burst midway through the middle frame led the No. 17 University of Massachusetts-Lowell past the American International College ice hockey team in nonconference play on Saturday, January 7.

AIC falls to 10-9-5 on the season.

The first period went by scoreless, although not for lack of opportunity, but Gustavs Davis Grigals and Jarrett Fiske kept their respective nets empty.

In the second, AIC struck first. A clear attempt by the River Hawks was kept in by Brian Kramer at the point, and he fired a low shot that Blake Bennett deflected through Grigals's legs and just over the line for his 13th of the season at 1:14.

The guests countered with a burst of goals. Nick Rheaume potted the tying goal on a rebound at 7:45, Ben Meehan scored on the power play at 9:57, and Owen Fowler tucked a puck inside the right post at 10:25 to give Lowell a 3-1 lead. The River Hawks then added a fourth goal on a turnover at the netfront as Marek Korencik tallied at 5:30.

AIC had an opportunity to come back late in the game thanks to a pair of penalties, and Jordan Biro scored a goal to make it 4-2 with just over seven minutes to play, but the goal was disallowed upon review. However, the River Hawks took another penalty and AIC did cash in that one, as Bennett set up Biro and Julius Janhonen deflected the puck in at 14:41 for his sixth of the season. AIC could get no closer, however.

Fiske was strong in the setback, making 27 saves.

AIC next heads north to face the University of Vermont on Saturday, January 14.