Four years soar past for seniors
River Hawks out to finish strongly
LOWELL >> They played in front of zero fans as freshmen. Later, when the pandemic subsided, they skated before sellout crowds at the Tsongas Center and in front of more than 13,000 fans at the TD Garden.
They played key roles in one of the greatest wins in program history. They played in the NCAA Tournament as sophomores, giving eventual national champion Denver a memorable battle only to fall 3-2 on a late goal in Colorado.
The last four seasons certainly haven’t been dull for Umass Lowell’s three hockey seniors. Goaltender Henry Welsch, and defensemen Ben Meehan and Brehdan Engum, will be honored before Friday’s home against New Hampshire, their last at the Tsongas.
“They’ve been good players for us,” said head coach Norm Bazin, “but they’re better people. It’s one of the those classes you’re going to remember for a long time because of all the adversity they faced.”
Playing in front of no fans. Dealing with quarantines. Going 25 days at one point without playing due to the pandemic. Bazin said he feels Welsch, Meehan and Engum were “cheated out” of a season.
“It seems like last year I walked in here for the first time,” said Welsch, amazed at how quickly the four seasons passed. “It will definitely be emotional playing here for the last time.”
Playing in front of empty arenas was a strange experience, especially on March 17, 2021 when UML took on top-ranked Boston College at Conte Forum in a Hockey East semifinal. UML trailed 4-1 with 10 minutes left in the third period against a team littered with future NHL players.
Suddenly, the impossible happened. UML scored. Then scored again. Then scored again to make it 4-4. BC, however, pulled ahead with just over two minutes left on a goal by Billerica native Marc Mclaughlin.
Game over? Not quite. UML tied it 5-5 on an Anthony Baxter tally with 1:26 left. In overtime, BC scored and the Eagles left the bench to celebrate. Not so fast. A lengthy video review revealed BC was offsides and the goal was disallowed. Finally, in the second OT, Matt Brown, stationed near the right post, batted the puck into the BC net, creating a memorable celebration.
“That would have been a good game to have fans there,” said Welsch, who made 34 saves that afternoon/night. “It was an unforgettable memory.”
Meehan said it was the greatest win he’s ever been a part of.
With UML sitting in last place,
this season hasn’t gone as planned for the senior class. But they’re encouraged by the way they’ve played recently.
Graduate student Jake Stella was honored last season. But the other graduate students — Filip Fornaa Svensson, Alex Peterson and Nick Granowicz — will also be celebrated with their families prior to the 7:05 p.m. puck drop.
Stella and Svensson have played two seasons at UML after transferring. Peterson and Granowicz transferred in prior to this season.
Welsch, Meehan and Engum are eligible to play a fifth season, but it’s not known if any will return to UML.
SCOUTING UNH >> The River Hawks will end the regular season this weekend against a much-improved New Hampshire squad.
UML will host Friday’s game, while the rematch will be held Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at the Whittemore Center in Durham. NESN will carry both games. The Wildcats are ranked 18th in the nation.
UNH (17-14-1, 10-11-1) was swept last weekend by topranked BC, though both games were close. UML (8-21-4, 4-15-3) is coming off two overtime losses to 12th-ranked Umass. The River Hawks know they will play a road playoff game Wednesday.
Bazin singled out five players who have shined in recent weeks — Meehan, junior forward Stefan Owens, freshman forward Jak Vaarwerk, sophomore defenseman TJ Schweighardt and sophomore defenseman Mark Cooper.
“We’re as healthy as we’ve been all year,” Bazin said. “We’ve put ourselves in this position. Despite what it says in the standings, we’ve been playing good hockey.”
LOOSE PUCKS >> Prior to Friday’s game, two lifelong contributors to UML hockey will be honored at 4 p.m. in the Tsongas Center lobby.
John “Johnny” Defreitas and Don Lampron will be inducted into the Legends of Lowell Hockey. A reception for the pair will be held at 5:30 p.m. inside the Talon Club. … Incoming recruit Christopher Delaney was named the game’s No. 1 star Wednesday during Madison’s 10-3 victory over Green Bay in
USHL action. A Hopkinton native, Delaney had a goal and two assists. He has 13 points in his last 12 games and a 10-2434 line over 48 games. … Speaking of recruiting, the River Hawks recently picked up a commitment from a promising goaltending prospect.
Kyle Jones, who recently turned 17, is a 6-2, 181-pound netminder for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings. … Friday’s game will mark the final time Bob Ellis, the voice of the River Hawks, will call a game at the Tsongas Center. He’s retiring after the season, ending a fantastic 40year run.