On Friday night at Alfond Arena, fifth-seeded UMass-Lowell pulled off a 2-1 upset over fourth-seeded Maine to finally put an end to their 0-12 Hockey East playoff drought against the Black Bears.
This was the first time in program history the River Hawks managed to beat Maine in postseason action.
Both teams got on the board in the first but wouldn't score again until midway through the third. Mark Nemec picked up his first goal of the season to get Maine on the board five minutes in, while teammate Joey Diamond notched the helper.
UMass-Lowell's power play came to life with just over a minute remaining in the first, as Jeremy Dehner picked up his sixth of the season with an assist from David Vallorani.
Ben Holmstrom was the hero of the night, picking up the game-winner 6:55 into the third on assists from Ryan Blair and Kory Falite. Holmstrom's ninth goal of the season was just enough to allow the River Hawks to hold on for the first win of the series.
Both goaltenders were on top of their game, as Maine's Dave
Wilson stopped 19 shots and Lowell's Carter Hutton made 21 saves.
Maine will look to avenge Friday's loss on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
