March 10, 2010

Audio Report - The River Hawk Report - Next Stop: The Playoffs

Gametracker | B2 Network | River Hawk Radio | Game Notes

#20 River Hawk hockey (18-14-4, 12-11-4 HE) will head to the Alfond Arena this weekend to battle Maine (16-15-3, 13-12-2 HE), in a best of three series, for the Hockey East Tournament quarterfinals. Earlier this season, UMass Lowell earned a weekend split in Orono and is 2-1-0 overall in its last three games at the Alfond.

"It reminds me a little bit of last year when we had to go up to Vermont near the end of the season and we had some success in a tough place to play, then had to go back there in the playoffs," said head coach Blaise MacDonald during Hockey East's media teleconference on Tuesday. "It is somewhat similar this year so I think it does give us a good feeling going into a playoff series."

Despite the recent success, historically the River Hawks have struggled at Maine. In addition to their 15-31-1 record in the Alfond Arena, UMass Lowell is just 3-16-1 in Orono since 2001.

The Black Bears have proved to be an especially tough opponent for the River Hawks in the Hockey East playoffs. Maine has won all 12 meetings between the two programs during post-season play, outscoring UMass Lowell 77-28, overall.

"I think most people's opinion is that of all the home ice advantages, Maine certainly enjoys the very best and it is the toughest place to play for an opponent," said MacDonald.

The River Hawks' split at the Alfond Arena in February showed both the good and the bad effects the rink has on UMass Lowell.

During the Black Bears 8-4 victory on the first night, Brian Flynn scored a Maine program record seven points (5g, 2a). While the game remained close over the first two frames, UMass Lowell was outshot 14-1 in the third period as the Black Bears scored four goals to pull away.

The following night the River Hawks found redemption in a 4-2 win. UMass Lowell recovered from an early Jeff Dimmen goal with three consecutive scores from Colin Wright (Burlington, Ont.), Riley Wetmore (Swanton, VT) and Kory Falite (Billerica, MA). Maine clawed its way back into the game in the third with a goal from Flynn, but Falite struck again to squash any thoughts of a comeback.

Falite heads into the series with eight goals and 15 total points in 12 career games versus the Black Bears.

"You'll always find a player that plays particularly well against a certain team," MacDonald said of Falite's success against Maine. "I think Kory just enjoys competing against the best, that's when his concentration and awareness is at its highest."

For fans interested in watching the games, all Hockey East Quarterfinal contests will be broadcast live on the B2 Network. For more information, click here. In addition, all three contests will be broadcast on WUML and WCAP this weekend. However, due to scheduling conflicts, WUML will be the sole carrier of the River Hawks on Saturday.