Hockey East Saturday Recap: Providence, UNH Sweep; Lowell Falters

Amherst, Mass. -- With junior Steven Mastalerz out with an injury, the University of Massachusetts had to turn to its two freshmen goaltenders on Saturday against the University of New Hampshire. The end result was not pretty as the Wildcats scored nine times to trounce the Minutemen, 9-0.

Alex Wakaluk, the MVP in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League last season, allowed five goals on just 10 shots. His replacement, Mac Haight, wasn't much better, stopping 19 of the 23 shots he faced.

Grayson Downing had a hat trick, and Kevin Goumas and Tyler Kelleher each recorded a goal and two assists to pace the UNH offense. 14 different Wildcats registered at least a point, and Casey DeSmith and Jamie Regan combined to make 23 saves for the shutout.

Providence trailed Merrimack, 2-1, after 40 minutes of play, but stormed back with three unanswered goals in the final stanza to win, 4-2. Nate Leaman's club remains undefeated on home ice this season. Mark Jankowski scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season, and Conor MacPhee and Shane Luke added tallied of their own.

Northeastern snapped its three-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory at UMass-Lowell. The Huskies received goals from freshmen Mike Szmatula and Dalen Hedges,  sophomore Kevin Roy and senior transfer Torin Snydeman. Clay Witt stopped 32 of the 34 shots he faced. Both UML goals were scored on the man advantage.

Vermont took a 4-1 lead over Maine and held on for a 4-3 victory at Alfond Arena in Orono, writes Jeff Cox.

Minnesota scored a third period tally for a 5-4 win, and to force a split in the weekend series at Notre Dame, writes Nathan Wells.