The Hockey East championship game matchup is set: Defending champion UMass Lowell will play New Hampshire on Saturday night at TD Garden for the conference title.
Lowell defeated Notre Dame 4-0 in the first semifinal game on Friday’s schedule. The River Hawks took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, then broke the game open with two power-play goals in the second period, one by freshman forward Evan Campbell and the other from junior defenseman Zack Kamrass. Lowell sophomore goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who won the tournament MVP award last season and could repeat this year, made 12 saves to earn the shutout.
New Hampshire also used a strong second period to reach the championship game. Senior forward Kevin Doumas scored twice and senior defenseman Justin Agosta also found the back of the net in the second frame to propel the Wildcats to a 3-1 win. Junior goaltender Casey DeSmith made 25 saves (11 in the third period) for UNH.
The Wildcats have not won the Hockey East tournament since they repeated as champions in 2002 and 2003.
The championship game will be played at 7 p.m. at TD Garden. It will be broadcast live on NESN-plus.
