Lowell, Mass. - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team defeated the #17 University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks, 5-3, on Sunday evening in the Tsongas Center.
 
First Goal (1-0 #17 UMass Lowell): The River Hawks scored the first goal of the game 2:10 into the first period. Charlie Levesque was the benefactor of a beauty of a pass by his line mate. The tic-tac-toe led to an early 1-0 lead.
 
Second Goal (2-0 #17 UMass Lowell): Less than two minutes later, Andre Lee doubled the UMass Lowell lead. Nolan Sawchuck started the odd man rush with Lee. Waiting until the last possible second, Sawchuck found his teammate. The two-goal lead was short lived.
 
Third Goal (2-1 #17 UMass Lowell): Brad Morrissey scored his first career goal with less than three minutes remaining in the opening frame. The freshman punched home a rebound while on the powerplay. Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup and Jakub Sirota were both credited with an assist.
 
Fourth Goal (2-2): After forcing a turnover deep in the River Hawks' zone, Donavan Villeneuve-Houle found Ben Poisson for the game tying goal. The freshman picked up the loose puck and found Poisson patiently waiting for the puck. The Hockey East contest was tied at two goals apiece halfway through the second period.
 
Fifth Goal (3-2 #17 UMass Lowell): Carl Berglund scored 1:04 into the third period on the breakaway. With a backhanded shot, Berglund gave his squad a one goal lead early in the third period.
 
Sixth Goal (4-2 #17 UMass Lowell): While on a five-minute power play, Andre Lee scored his second goal of the game. 3:00 into the third period, the River Hawks held a two-goal lead.
 
Seventh Goal (5-2 #17 UMass Lowell): During the aforementioned five-minute power play, Connor Sodergren added another for his squad. They held a commanding three goal advantage.
 
Eighth Goal (5-3 #17 UMass Lowell): Emil Westerlund scored on the power play with eight minutes left in the Sunday night contest. Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup and Lynden Breen helped out on the goal. Unfortunately, it was the final goal of the night as the Black Bears dropped the Hockey East bout.
 
Notes: Matthew Thiessen finished with 18 saves, while Henry Welsch tallied 11 for UMass Lowell.
 
Maine went 2-8 on the power play, as the River Hawks were 0-4 on their player advantages.
 
The Black Bears blocked eight shots as a team.
 
Next: Maine returns to the ice next tomorrow, Monday, January 4th, for the series finale against UMass Lowell.
 
-UMaine-