UMass Lowell 2022-2023: Valley Steamroller Edition

[UMLFan]

We went through a stretch where Lowell had a whopping 12 shots on goal in four periods of hockey (last two v UConn and first two v MC). That was absolutely pathetic.

Glad to see them show some heart after MC scored, and great to see one of the freshmen step up and tie the game. They looked pretty good in both OTs and a rough deflection put the puck right back where it didn't need to be and that was the game.

Will be interesting to see what this roster looks like next year.

[ScottK]

For those that did not listen to the postgame show all the way to the end (I'm guessing that's 99% of you), Bob Ellis announced that he will be back next year for his 40th season of calling Lowell hockey, but it will be his last. He retired as a full-time university employee a few years ago, and will be retiring completely after next season. He's had me in the booth for 3 games over the past few seasons, though he barely let me get a word in most of the time, and I'm hoping I get that chance next season as well.

[ScottK]

1. Our goalies have this maddening habit of letting in 1 or 2 bad goals a game, usually early. You could tell last week that Grigals was locked in right from the start. That needs to be the case again today.
2. Get people to the net. Ollas tends to let up some rebounds, we need to have people there to cash them in (and also to take away his eyes on the initial shot).
3. Do something on the power play besides taking 2 minutes off the clock.
4. Control the faceoffs. Lowell is 7th in the nation in faceoffs, Merrimack is 9th worst. Those are 50/50 pucks that you need to control.

1. Grigals was locked in again. He was the only reason this game got to 2OT. Neither goal was a bad goal.
2. Merrimack blocked 33 shots out of the 92 Lowell attempted. Getting rebounds wasn't the problem, getting shots through to Borgiel was.
3. 1 power play, 0 shots on net, 1 shot attempted, 2 shots allowed. The lack of a functioning power play was probably the biggest thing that killed the team down the stretch.
4. Merrimack won 46 out of 81 faceoffs. That hurt a lot in this game, especially over the 1st 2 periods.

[boblav1]

Proud of the team. They fought tough, skated hard, bad break. Until next season.

Great effort by the team, unreal game by Grigals. Good luck and thank you to all the players that are moving on.

[Fishman'81]

Lowell was just a few bounces short here and there all season long.

They should be fine next year.

[hawkeytown]

Proud of the team. They fought tough, skated hard, bad break. Until next season.

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

That was a heavyweight matchup right there. Great bounce for Mack on the shotblock going right back onto their stick.

[Patman]

they're reviewing it as courtesy but... man... tough break and good effort.

edit: looks like grigals tendency to move too far might have been what did it in the end, I'd have to look at it again and closer. Blah.

[Patman]

Easily best period played tonight for lowell.

[Patman]

I don't think we have the tools in general but I'm damn glad they don't give up the fight

[Patman]

Nice shot... overtime looms.

[FiveLetterBird]

I wanted to wait till the end of this game before I made any judgements but we are pretty much at the end. Lowell is about to get shutout in the garden. I’m not calling for Norms head AT ALL. What I am calling for is a new strategy. We are about to get shut out on the biggest statue in the league. How can we even begin to take ourselves serious at this point? I


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[Patman]

And that’s a wrap.


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I hope not but I don't see how it is anything other than a random play. I'm just generally disappointed

[FiveLetterBird]

And that’s a wrap.


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[Patman]

alright guys, turn it up a level if nothing more than to end the last 40 minutes of Merrimack love fest on the NESN feed