Pierson scores game-winning goal to give the Wildcats a senior-night victory.
DURHAM, N.H. – Freshman Jackson Pierson (Zionsville, Ind.) netted his first collegiate game-winning goal and sophomore Mike Robinson (Bedford, N.H.) posted his fifth shutout of the season as the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team defeated No. 14 UMass Lowell, 1-0, on Senior Night on Friday at the Whittemore Center. The Wildcats now improve to 12-12-8 (8-9-5 HEA) on the season, while the River Hawks fall to 18-11-3 (12-7-3 HEA). The Wildcats are now 1-0-1 this season against the River Hawks.
UP NEXT: The Wildcats will return to action Saturday, March 2 to take on UMass Lowell at the Tsongas Center at 7:15 p.m.
Score: New Hampshire 1, UMass Lowell 0 Records: New Hampshire (12-12-8, 8-9-5 HEA), UMass Lowell (18-11-3, 12-7-3 HEA) Location: Durham, N.H. (Whittemore Center) Date: Friday, March 1, 2019 Time: 7:00 p.m. Attendance: 4,408 Senior Class Andrew Silsby (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS John Tousignant '88 performed the Canadian National AnthemThe Marshwood Middle School Festival Chorus performed the American National Anthem
At 3:55 of the first period, Robinson made a quick save off of a breakaway shot by Sam Knoblauch to keep the River Hawks off of the scoreboard.
At 16:23 of the first period, Reid Stefanson sent the puck across the crease but sophomore defenseman Benton Maass (Elk River, Minn.) was there to make a stick save right on the goal line, as the score remained 0-0 to end the period.
After the first period, the Wildcats recorded 11 shots on goal while the River Hawks had seven. Lowell went for 0-1 on the power play.
At 10:35 of the second period, Robinson made a diving save off of a shot from Nick Master in the slot to prevent a power play goal for the River Hawks and keep the game scoreless.
The Wildcats opened up the scoring at 17:07 of the second period after Pierson intercepted a pass at mid-ice and went in on a breakaway to rip the puck into the lower stick side of the net.
During the second period, UNH tallied 10 shots while Lowell had 14. The Wildcats went 0-1 on the power play while the River Hawks went 0-2.
The River Hawks outshot the Wildcats 8-1 in the third period but they were unable to score the equalizer as UNH earned the victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS Mike Robinson (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
Robinson made 29 saves while Hernberg posted 21.
Lowell outshot UNH by a 29-22 margin.
The Wildcats went 0-1 on the power play and the River Hawks went 0-3.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE Jackson Pierson and Angus Crookshank (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
This was Pierson's eighth goal of the season and his 19th point. It was also his first collegiate game winner.
Robinson's shutout in tonight's game marked his fifth shutout of the season.
This is the second win against a nationally-ranked team this season as the Wildcats also defeated #19 Miami, 4-1, on Saturday November 24.
The Wildcats went 9-6-2 at home this season.
SENIOR NIGHT: The team recognized the five seniors before tonight's game. Frankie Cefalu (Buffalo, N.Y.), Richard Boyd (Delray Beach, Fla.), Chris Miller (Windham, N.H.), assistant captain Ara Nazarian (Boxford Mass.) and captain Marcus Vela (Burnaby, British Columbia) were honored for their hard work and dedication to the program.
Cefalu has played in 84 career games as a Wildcat. During his career he has tallied four goals and eight assists for 12 career points. Cefalu netted his first career goal in the 5-2 victory versus Merrimack in the third and deciding game of the 2017 Hockey East Quarterfinal series. Frankie Cefalu (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
Boyd has played in 120 games with six goals and 14 assists for 20 career points. Boyd was voted the Most Improved Player on the team for the 2017-2018 season, while he won the Whoop Snively Citizenship Award this season for his selfless work with local youth hockey, the Friends of Jaclyn and the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. Richard Boyd (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
Miller has played in 130 games with nine goals and 23 assists for 32 career points. Miller won the Warren R. Brown Memorial Trophy in the 2016-2017 season for being the best defensive forward on the team, while he also earned the Nate Hardy Ironman Award in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. Chris Miller (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
Nazarian has played in 135 games with 33 goals and 40 assists for 73 career points. This season he leads the team with a career-best 12 goals. Nazarian received the Frank Halbert Fan Favorite Award in the 2017-2018 season, he also won the Guy Smith Award in the 2017-2018 season for being the best offensive player on the team. Nazarian is also strong in the classroom as he was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team for the 2017-2018 season. Ara Nazarian (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
Vela has played in 131 games with 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 career points. Vela won the Warren R. Brown Memorial Trophy in the 2017- 2018 season which is presented to the best defensive forward, while he also earned the Nate Hardy Ironman award this season. Vela has been a strong leader as demonstrated by being voted by his teammates as team captain. Marcus Vela (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
NAZARIAN, MAASS, AND BLACKBURN RECEIVE HONORS
Senior Ara Nazarian received the Friends of UNH Hockey Scholarship. This official booster group was formed by loyal fans with a mission to support, promote and enhance the men's hockey program. The scholarship was presented to Nazarian by Bruce Hardenbrook who is the president of the Friends of UNH Hockey.
Ara Nazarian and Bruce Hardenbrook (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
The recipient of the Guy Leslie Smith Scholarship was sophomore Benton Maass. The late Guy Smith played hockey at UNH from 1968-1972 and is a member of the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame. He earned the "Most Exciting Player Award" in his sophomore year. His wife Lynn Smith presented the scholarship to Maass.
Benton Maass and Lynn Smith (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
The winner of this season's Frank "The Fan" Halbert Fan Favorite Award was junior Liam Blackburn. This annual award celebrates the player who captures the admiration of the fans. The award is voted by the fans and was presented to Blackburn by John Savage of the Friends of UNH Hockey.
Liam Blackburn with John Savage (Photo by Jessica Speechley)
NORTHEAST REGIONAL TICKETS ON SALE
UNH is hosting the 2019 NCAA Men's Hockey Northeast Regional at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, N.H., on Friday and Saturday, March 29-30. Go here for tickets.
STAY CONNECTED
There are numerous ways to stay connected with the UNH men's hockey team. Follow the Wildcats on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
OFFICIAL UNH GEAR:
Check out UNHShop.com for the latest in official UNH Wildcats' merchandise.
