UML hockey coach Noam Bazin and his team will try to extend the season at UNH on Wednesday. (Photo provided by UML)
LOWELL — The sun was shining outside the Tsongas Center on Tuesday afternoon when Norm Bazin and his players boarded the bus.
A 75 minute ride to Durham, New Hampshire awaited. While at Lowell College, Bazin posted a .641 winning percentage in the postseason.
But will Wednesday's Hockey East first-round game (7 p.m.) at UNH's Whittemore Center be the final chapter in a disappointing and frustrating season? The 11th-seeded River Hawks (8-23, 4-17, 3 HE) could extend their season with a win, but momentum is not on their side.
Not only is No. 6 seed New Hampshire (19-14-1, 12-11-1) enjoying its best season in 11 seasons, the Wildcats defeated Mass. Lowell for the fourth time in a row last weekend. Completed with 0.
Asked on Wednesday what the team needed to do that they weren't able to do over the weekend, Bazin said: “Of course, score some goals.” The second thing is to be more aggressive around the net. I think we made the goaltender's life easier. ”
Bazin is the winningest postseason coach among active Hockey East head coaches, boasting a 0.25-14 record, including playoff wins in 2013, 2014 and 2017.
However, UML will enter the playoffs with six consecutive losses and have only scored five goals. To make matters worse, the River Hawks could be without several players, including leading scorer Scout Truman, who took a high hit Saturday and did not finish the game.
“We have some guys that may or may not be available,” Bazin said. “I had a few guys hit some high hits.”
Bazin said the 17th-ranked Wildcats are a tough opponent for several reasons.
“They're a good hockey team. They're threatening in a hurry. They're good on the power play,” he said.
It has been difficult for the River Hawks all season to put together a solid 60-minute effort. Last weekend was no exception.
They only forced UNH goaltender Jakob Hellsten to make 21 saves on Friday and 18 on Saturday.
“I think we had a strong game plan and we just didn't execute,” Bazin said.
The River Hawks and Wildcats haven't played against each other all season, but will play for the third time in six days on Wednesday.
“I don't know if it's going to make any difference. We have to be disciplined and play hard. We know what we have to do,” Bazin said. “We've been trying to wash away the regular season, and that's good for us. Starting fresh is invigorating.”
Massachusetts Lowell has an overall record of 51-53-3 in the Hockey East Tournament. If the River Hawks upset UNH, they will advance to the Hockey East quarterfinals and face top-seeded Boston College.
