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Comments on UMass-Lowell vs. RPI, 11/19/94 or Did I dream about that sweep against Clarkson and St. Lawrence? Had you viewed only the first period of this game at the Tully Forum, a 5-2 UML win would not be an unexpected result. In fact, you would have thought the margin of victory to be greater. The River Hawks dominated play from the opening face-off. At least 15 minutes of the first period was spent in the RPI defensive zone. Surprisingly, the score was 0-0 after the period ended. I have no idea how the River Hawks didn't score a goal. They took 23 shots, many of high quality, and a handful of times had the puck in the Engineer crease, but just couldn't get the score. The second period saw better play by the Engineers, and UML couldn't maintain the same domination as in the first period. However, UML scored, moving the puck around the back of the net and coming from Mike Tamburro's blind side to take a 1-0 lead at 4:08. This livened up UML, but they still couldn't finish on their subsequent possessions, and at 12:11 the Engineers tied it up with a goal by Eric Healey. The rest of the period was rather even, and it stayed 1-1 after two. At this point, the Engineers should have considered themselves extremely lucky not to have been blown out of this game. Their luck continued, as just 4:05 into the third Jeff Mathews scored all alone against Scott Fankhouser. Credit the assists to UML, as they had four, yes four, people in the zone against one Engineer (Mathews). Then on a fifty-fifty puck, three opted to head up ice and the fourth couldn't get the puck. Mathews gained control and went in alone for the score. Engineers now led 2-1 in a game they should never have led in. The dream died on two quick power-play goals, Jeff Daw at 10:29 during a 5-on-3, then Christian Sbrocca at 11:30 during a 5- on-4. The rest of the game belonged to UML, as they added two more, by Neil Donovan at 18:07 and Eric Brown at 19:58 to give the final 5-2 in UML's favor. Engineer notes: 1. Kelly Askew injured his ankle during the second period and did not return. His status is in question for next weekend. 2. The fourth line (Kwasniewski, Kiley, Maye) played sparingly, though Maye saw substantial work on the penalty-killing unit for the Engineers and acquitted himself well. With the absence of Askew for the second half of play, this contributed to the first three lines being more tired near the end of play than in the previous weekend. 3. Bryan Richardson was taken out of the action for most of the game. UML did a great job of limiting his role. His biggest contribution to the outcome was taking the cross-checking penalty in the third that led to UML's tying goal. 4. Patrick Rochon's thought processes are not working properly. He doesn't seem to know what he should be doing half the time. 5. Chris Aldous was seen sparingly. He has not adjusted to the college game yet. 6. Jeff Mathews played outstandingly. His goal was due to tenacity of his part, not giving up against overwhelming odds. 7. Eric Healey with a solid game. Got the first goal, hit the pipe on another excellent opportunity. He's the freshman who's looking like the scoring wizard, which most thought would be Doug Battaglia. 8. No discipline, stupid penalties. RPI has a 2-1 lead almost half- way through the third and on the power-play. What happens? Bryan Richardson, who was frustrated most of the day, takes a cross- checking penalty in the offensive zone. Then Wayne Clarke takes an absolutely moronic roughing call 33 second later. These penalties led to two power-play goals and a 3-2 UML lead. All season long the Engineers have been taking penalties in the offensive zone while on the man advantage. Stupid, stupid, stupid. UMass-Lowell notes: 1. As goes Greg Bullock, so go the River Hawks. When Bullock has free reign, UML dominates, as in the entire first period. When RPI was able to contain him, during most of the second and early third, the River Hawks had trouble. However, RPI could not contain him all game long in the manner UML took care of Bryan Richardson. 2. Both goaltenders played well, though I think Scott Fankhouser did better, despite giving up both goals. Martin Fillion played the first half and looked shaky on some saves. He benefited from the River Hawks' domination in the first period. Fankhouser faced many more quality shots and looked more solid. 3. UML parked men in the crease all night long. They just would not be moved, creating havoc for an already shaken RPI defense. 4. Mike Nicholishen impressed me with his skill and mental alertness. At least a half-dozen times he made a simple play that most other players would not have, merely with good stick-work or quick thinking. I think this freshman defenseman has a bright future. 5. Finishing. This game should have been decided in the first 10 minutes. If UML wants to compete on the national level this year, they have to learn to score goals when they dominate play. Had they done so in period 1, RPI would have been down 5 or 6 goals. Right now, there doesn't appear to be the killer instinct that's always needed. Not an outstanding game by team, but UML seems to have the brighter future. RPI must to get their act together by this weekend, or they will start falling further and further behind, and this team is not the kind that knows how to come from behind. Kurt Stutt [log in to unmask]