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On Friday night, the UMass Lowell River Hawks returned home to the Tsongas Center to host the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, looking to turn around a 1-4-0 record on home ice. Sitting at 2-6-0, it marks just the fourth time in their Division I history that the River Hawks have started a season with that mark. Under head coach Norm Bazin, UML entered the night 21-19-3 against UNH. Historically, the Wildcats have won 23 all-time series against Lowell and recorded 15 shutouts overall (including eight during Bazin’s tenure). The River Hawks entered the contest following a road split at Colgate.
Starting in goal for UNH was Michael Simpson, a transfer from Providence who entered the night at 3-4-1 with a 2.57 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage. The River Hawks countered with Austin Elliott (1-4-0, 4.26 GAA, .874 save percentage). A scoreless first period saw both teams struggle to generate offense. Each squad failed to capitalize on a power play, extending UMass Lowell’s streak to 16 consecutive penalty kills and 28-of-32 overall. UNH held an 11-7 advantage in shots on goal after 20 minutes.
The Wildcats broke the deadlock at 1:56 of the second period when Nick Ring redirected a point shot from Malte Vass past Elliott for his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Ryan Johnson. UMass Lowell’s penalty-killing unit held strong midway through the frame, erasing two more penalties—including a 5-on-3 power play—to make it 18 straight kills and 30-of-34 overall.
However, UNH extended its lead at even strength when Nick Van Tassell scored his first goal of the season from the low slot, assisted by Ryan Philbrick and Vass. The Wildcats then made it 3-0 on a power-play goal by Johnson—his second of the year—from the left side of the net at 18:41, with assists going to Ring and goaltender Simpson. UNH outshot UML 15-8 in the second period, taking a 26-15 shot advantage and a 3-0 lead into the final intermission.
The River Hawks, who fell to 0-5-0 when trailing after two periods, were unable to mount a comeback in a scoreless third period.
Final https://t.co/PWd36crYuq
— UMass Lowell Hockey (@RiverHawkHockey) November 7, 2026
UNH netminder Michael Simpson stopped all 20 shots he faced to earn his first shutout of the season.
“It’s great to get our first Hockey East win,” UNH head coach Mike Souza said after the game, adding that he liked the way his team played with the lead and noting that the penalty kill came through when needed most.
On the opposing bench, Bazin was candid about his team’s performance. “Not our best effort,” Bazin said, emphasizing that the River Hawks must generate more offense both at 5-on-5 and on the power play, while signaling that line changes are coming for Saturday night’s rematch.
With the result, UNH moves to 4-4-1 overall (1-2-1 Hockey East), while UMass Lowell drops to 2-7-0 overall (0-3-0 Hockey East).
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- John is VP of NGSC Sports and head of our New England operations. He covers sports in the America East, Big East, ACC, Hockey East conferences.
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