UMass-Lowell holds 3-0 lead on Wisconsin through two periods

UMass-Lowell holds a commanding 3-0 lead after 40 minutes of play in the first round of the NCAA Northeast Regional. All three River Hawks goals have been on breakaways.

Joseph Pendenze scored streaking down the left side at the 7:11 mark of the first period. The junior from Wilmington, Mass. wristed one past Wisconsin goaltender Joel Rumpel. The puck found its way under Rumpel's arm on his glove side.

UML extended its lead to two 3:12 into the second period when Christian Folin connected on a two-on-one with Scott Wilson. It was a real nice set up by Wilson who sauced one over to Folin.

At the 14:08 mark, the River Hawks took a 3-0 lead when Shayne Thompson was sprung in all alone by a nice feed from defenseman Jake Suter.

Wisconsin has had several near misses including a failed penalty shot and a puck that hit the cross bar. Jefferson Dahl's penalty shot bid failed when he took a wrist shot right into the pads of UMass-Lowell freshman goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

The Badgers hold a 17-14 advantage in shots on goal. UML has taken four penalties compared to Wisconsin's three. Neither team has connected on the man-advantage.

Jeff Cox covers college for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.