UML vs. Vermont Hockey Game

     On Friday October 12th I attended the home opener of the 2012-2013 Ice Hockey Season where the University of Massachusetts Lowell Riverhawks took on the Catamounts of Vermont in Hockey East divisional play. Growing up the only college hockey events I attended were Boston College hockey games and the Beanpot tournament that is hosted at the TD Garden between the four inner city college hockey teams (Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern). I've never supported a team other than Boston College and this was going to be a first. Despite attending Umass Lowell I was questionable on if I would actually be cheering for them since I've been a loyal fan of BC for so many years and still am today, attending several hockey games and owning season tickets for their football season. Entering the Tsongas Center I knew that I would enjoy the hockey game, but wasn't sure if I would be as excited as all of the other students.

     Coming into the season opener, for the first time in the university's history, the Riverhawks hockey team was ranked 2nd in the Hockey East and 6th in the country. It is an extraordinary accomplishment for this program, since it was only a few decades ago they were dominating Division II. The University has done a wonderful job restoring the fan base that was so lost in Lowell, causing two former minor league AHL hockey teams to be shipped out. Part of the reason why this team is so successful is because they are all this city really has to look forward to outside of work. The players here are treated like professionals and celebrities, and what future NHL prospect could pass that up.

     Before this game the Resident Advisers and a couple of clubs hosted a pep rally outside of the Campus Recreation Center giving away shirts and tickets. While I was there I grabbed four tickets, and then called up my parents to ask them if they wanted to come to the game and bring my little sister. With no hesitation my dad said "yeah, ill meet you there an hour before game time". Shockingly after going to over a hundred college and professional hockey games in my lifetime, this was going to be my sisters fist one. She is always being left out of sporting events because my dad has always brought me to them, so this was going to be a great experience for her as well.

     Being an hour early and receiving the tickets at the pep rally meant that we were some of the first people in the arena, and got to get free Umass Lowell hockey jerseys. We also got to pick are seats because the students section seats are general admission, so we got one right in the corner along the glass. Walking around the arena, the pep band was playing fight songs and singing chants. As people starting piling in and chanting "Umass Lowell!", you could tell that this was going to be one of the most intense atmospheres of the season. It had been six long months since this team got knocked out of the late stages of the NCAA tournament, and the fans wanted another year like that.

     With just three minutes to game-time, the announcer began listing the names of the six starters for each team. They announced the away team first, and with every name announced the student section of Umass Lowell said "who cares you suck!" Next came the Umass Lowell team. With every name announced for their team, the student section erupted in a frantic cheer. Finally the last player for Umass was being announced, the Massachusetts Native goaltender Doug Carr. He received not just cheers, but a reception of bowing fans. It was clear that he was the favorite and most accomplished player on the Umass Lowell team. After all of the pre-game ceremonies, it was time for the National Anthem.

     Once the puck dropped at the Tsongas Center, the amped crowed added a sense of momentum to the Umass Lowell side. This led to an early first period goal by  #12 Josh Holmstrom assisted by #20 Michael Fallon. From that point on the two teams went back and forth, laying massive hits on one another, and missing many close opportunities with the crowd screaming on every shot. With the score still 1-0 heading into the third it appeared that Umass Lowell was going to open the season with a statement win.

     Something must have happened in that Vermont locker room during intermission. The Catamounts came out flying, laying big hits, and peppering shots at goaltender Doug Carr. The fatigued Umass Lowell team always looked like they were ready to concede their first goal, and couldn't seem to find an answer to Vermont. Doug Carr largely lived up to his reputation saving 28 shots to this point and keeping the Umass Lowell team up one on the Catamounts. Just halfway through the third they finally conceded that tying goal, and the coach was not happy with the effort he was receiving from his team. Umass Lowell had now been revived too, and began trying to take the lead again. Sadly after getting 8 more shots in the last half of the period they couldn't take home the win.

     This game turned out to be much more exciting than I thought it would have been since I never really cared for either team prior to this game. After seeing how thrilling the game was, along with the atmosphere all of the fans provided I can now say I do support Umass Lowell, but Boston College still holds precedence to them. It was a fun event to attend for my family as well, since that was only the second time they saw me since I've been at college. After the game, the university surprised us fans with the first indoor fireworks display ever held at the Tsongas. It was a good ending to a good night.