LOWELL, Mass. — No. 12 Massachusetts-Lowell took a break from Hockey East play on Friday night and hosted Arizona State at Tsongas Arena.
The Sun Devils took an early lead, but it was the River Hawks who came out on top 4-1, thanks in large part to a strong performance by A.J. White, who had a goal and an assist in the game.
Lowell coach Norm Bazin complemented his captain following the win.
“He’s a rock,” said Bazin. “He’s a mature kid who has gone through the process and plays the game hard. He’s one of those kids who coaches enjoy coaching. Whatever line he’s on, he finds a way to produce. His durability should allow him play at the next level.”
Kevin Boyle got the night off for the River Hawks, so it was freshman Christoffer Hernberg who got the start in net for Lowell, finishing with 19 saves.
“He reacted well in scramble situations and gave us a chance,” said Bazin. “It’s tough to evaluate a goalie who hasn’t played in this long, but overall, he was good and we’ll see where he can improve on film.”
Arizona State got the scoring started just 5:16 into the first period when Ryan Stevens was fed a pass out in front by Garrett Peterson behind the net. Stevens one-timed a snap shot past the blocker of Hernberg to give the Sun Devils an early 1-0 lead.
Just 23 seconds later, the River Hawks responded. Dylan Zink held the puck in at the blue line off an ASU clearing attempt. Zink fed a pass into the high slot for Michael Fallon, who slipped the puck down to Adam Chapie on the back door. Chapie retrieved the pass and tapped the puck into a wide-open net to knot the game at 1-all.
At 8:52, Tyler Mueller fed a pass to Ryan McGrath in the neutral zone. McGrath broke into the ASU end on a one-on-two and fired a deflected shot off of ASU defenseman Drew Newmeyer. The puck kicked off the pad of Sun Devil goaltender Robert Levin, but Evan Campbell drove the net and scooped up the rebound, burying it through the legs Levin to give Lowell its first lead of the night.
After Arizona State’s Jordan Young went off for slashing at 14:21, the River Hawks cashed in on the ensuing power play to extend their lead to two. Chapie passed across the middle to C.J. Smith, who sauced the puck over to White on the doorstep as White tapped it home for a 3-1 Lowell lead.
The River Hawks again cashed in on the power play in the early minutes of the second period when Peterson went off for interference. At 3:14, Smith slammed home the rebound of a White shot from the high slot, giving Lowell a commanding three-goal lead.
The River Hawks kept the Sun Devils off the board in the third period.
White gave credit to ASU after the game.
“It’s nice to have more teams join D-I,” said White. “For a first-year team, they are really good. They played with a lot of pride and fought hard.”
Bazin also gave his respects to the Sun Devils.
“It’s crucial; it’s very important that college hockey embraces new teams,” said Bazin. “They are taking time to experience a lot of different league. He (ASU coach Greg Powers) is giving his kids experience in a lot of different leagues and he is giving them valuable life experience. They are going to become a force very quickly.”
