PROVIDENCE, R.I. --The eighth-ranked Providence College Friars scored two
goals in the first seven minutes of the game and went on to defeat the
UMass-Lowell River Hawks, 2-1, for their second win in as many nights over
the River Hawks in HOCKEY EAST action on Saturday, February 23 at PC's
Schneider Arena.
At the 3:37 mark of the first period, PC's Peter Fregoe tallied the game's
first goal. Jay Leach ripped slap shot from the blue line that River Hawk
goaltender Jimi St. John deflected, Fregoe collected the rebound and
back-handed the puck into the empty net for a power-play goal. Drew
Omicioli gave Providence a 2-0 lead at the 6:39 mark. Devin Rask fired a
back door pass to Omicioli who was waiting just outside the crease.
Omicioli one-timed the pass for his 11th goal of the season and the eventual
game winner.
The River Hawks tallied their only goal of the game at the 7:22 mark of the
second period. Ed McGrane received a pass from Laurent Meunier, carried the
puck over the blue line and ripped a low shot that beat Friar netminder Boyd
Ballard through the five-hole, cutting PC's lead to 2-1.
Both goaltenders played strong in the third period as neither team was able
to score.
Ballard, who was playing in final home game as a Friar, made 32 saves and
earned his seventh win of the season. St. John made 26 stops in the loss.
With the win, the Friars improved to 19-8-5 overall and 13-6-3 in HOCKEY
EAST, while UMass-Lowell fell to 16-14-3 and 9-11-3 in league play.
Providence College will return to action on Friday, March 2 at the
University of Maine at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 23, 2001
Schneider Arena, Providence, R.I.
UMass-Lowell (16-14-3) 0 1 0 ---1 7-14 0-6
Providence College (19-8-5) 2 0 0 ---2 9-18 1-4
Per Time Team Goal Scorer (Assists)
1 3:37 PC Peter Fregoe 14 (Jay Leach, Devin Rask) PP
1 6:39 PC Drew Omicioli 11 (Devin Rask, Shawn Weiman)
2 7:22 UML Ed McGrane 15 (Laurent Meunier)
Saves:
Jimi St. John (UML) 8 11 7 --26 (59:24)
Boyd Ballard (PC) 9 15 8 --32 (60:00)
Attendance: 2,110 (Schneider Arena)
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