UMass-Lowell (2-1-1) was rolling through the 2014-15 season, but No. 14 Michigan (2-2-0) put a jarring end to that Friday.
The River Hawks had steadily climbed the rankings to No. 7 from their preseason position of No. 17, but the 8-4 beating they received from the Wolverines will likely end their ascent.
Michigan was in it from the beginning, out-shooting Lowell 5-0 in the first seven minutes. C.J. Smith registered the first shot for the River Hawks shortly after that, but Wolverines forward Alex Kile scored on a power play two minutes later.
And the goals just kept coming from there.
Michigan senior forward Zach Hyman — who hadn’t scored a goal yet this season — had a hat trick before the end of the second period. His third goal put the Wolverines up 6-3 with a whole period to go. Dylan Zink looked to get the River Hawks back in the game, scoring a goal just three minutes into the third period, but that would be their last of the night.
Adam Chapie led the scoring for UMass-Lowell with one goal and two assists. River Hawks goaltender Kevin Boyle registered 24 saves despite being pulled after the sixth Wolverines goal he allowed.
Lowell will look to bounce back when they take on Michigan State on Saturday for their homecoming weekend.
Around the League
UMass 3, Northeastern 2: The Huskies (0-4-0) bombarded the Minutemen (2-2-0) with 44 shots, but a goal from senior forward Emerson Auvenshine midway through the third period was enough to give UMass the win. UMass only registered 28 shots, but they certainly made them count.
Maine 3, Alaska-Anchorage 1: The Seawolves (3-1-1) opened the scoring 9:33 into the first period, but the Black Bears (1-4-0) held it down from there. Jake Rutt scored for Maine just 46 seconds later, and Eric Schurhamer and Cam Brown added two more in the third for the win.
Merrimack 5, Mercyhurst 4 (OT):Â The Warriors (4-0-0) almost beat the Lakers (1-2-0) in regulation, but in the end, they settled for an overtime win instead. Matthew Zay scored the tying goal for Mercyhurst with just 32 seconds left on the clock, but freshman defenseman Marc Biega scored his second goal of the night — and of his college career — 2:41 into overtime to give the Warriors the W.
Boston College 6, Colorado College 2: The Eagles (2-1-0) amassed six goals for their second straight game en route to a win over the Tigers (2-3-0). BC senior Cam Spiro scored a career-best two goals, and sophomore goaltender Thatcher Demko registered 33 saves.
Boston University 1, Michigan State 0: The Terriers (2-0-0) blanked the Spartans (1-2-0), and junior goalie Matt O’Connor enjoyed his first career shutout with 29 saves. Ahti Oksanen scored BU’s lone goal 29 seconds into the second period.
Notre Dame 6, Niagara 3:  The Fighting Irish (3-2-0) scored four goals in the first period in their 6-3 win over the Purple Eagles (0-5-0). Junior forward Sam Herr and senior defenseman Robbie Russo each scored two goals for Notre Dame.
North Dakota 6, Providence 1: No. 3 North Dakota (4-1-0) took the lead over the No. 5 Friars (1-2-0) seven minutes into the first period and never let go. Junior Kevin Rooney scored Providence’s lone goal midway through the third period.
Photo via Twitter/@umichhockey
