Re: #5 UNH Visits UMass Lowell
Here's my take. First, my not-so-scientific observation of the attendance led me to believe that there were no more than 1,500 people there. The place seats 6,000 and there is no way that it was half full. As noted, winning teams fill arenas, not ones that are playing like UML.
As for the game, I thought that UNH had a large territorial edge in the first period but were barely ahead because of their inability to finish. They had a lot of nice breakouts, nice passing through center ice, but when the puck got below the dots, nothing seemed to click. Deflected goal for Kostolansky was it. Second period they did a lot better. Nice breakout by Borisenok and Moses for the second goal and really nice passing by the first line, with Sislo finishing, for the third goal. Third period Lowell turned it up a bit, but except for the 5-on-3, really didn't threaten.
UNH is playing well, and they did have the edge on Lowell for the most of the night, but I'd have to say that a better team would have capitalized on UNH's inability to finish. I understand that the first game (which I didn't see) was all UNH. My guess is that Lowell played better this second time around, they certainly skated hard. But they looked a little lost out there at times. Probably an inexperience thing. Hopefully for their fans they will improve in the second half.
Last home game of the first half on Sunday vs. UVM. Let's take care of them so we can head to Maine next Friday on a positive note.