River Hawks' struggles at home continue

UMass hands UMass Lowell its fourth straight home loss

Published on Feb. 1, 2026

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The UMass Lowell River Hawks have been struggling at home this season, losing their last four games at the Tsongas Center. In their latest defeat, they fell 6-4 to the UMass Minutemen, who scored the game-winning goal with under 3 minutes left in regulation. The River Hawks had fought back to tie the game at 4-4 in the third period, but couldn't hold on for the win.

Why it matters

The River Hawks' home struggles are concerning, as the Tsongas Center is typically a tough place for opposing teams to play. UMass Lowell will need to find a way to start winning at home if they want to improve their overall record and make a push for the Hockey East playoffs.

The details

UMass broke a 4-4 tie with 2:54 left in the third period on a goal from Cam Dunn before Jack Musa recorded an empty-netter to give the Minutemen a 6-4 victory. UMass Lowell had fought back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game, but couldn't hold on. Freshman defenseman Josh Mori had a strong game for the River Hawks, scoring two goals.

  • UMass Lowell entered the game with a 1-13-0 record when its opponent scores first.
  • Mori gave the River Hawks the lead less than 4 minutes into the game.
  • Musa and the Minutemen responded with 3 straight goals to take a 3-1 lead.
  • Mori scored again early in the 3rd period to cut the deficit to 4-3.
  • UMass Lowell tied the game at 4-4 with 2 goals less than a minute apart in the 3rd period.

The players

Josh Mori

A freshman defenseman for UMass Lowell who scored 2 goals in the game, including one early in the 1st period to give the River Hawks the lead.

Jack Musa

A player for UMass who scored 2 goals, including the game-winning goal with 2:54 left in the 3rd period to give the Minutemen a 5-4 lead.

Norm Bazin

The head coach of the UMass Lowell River Hawks, who expressed frustration with his team's inability to hold onto leads at home.

Michael Hrabal

The UMass goaltender who had a program-record 191 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal coming into the game.

Cam Dunn

A UMass player who scored the game-winning goal with 2:54 left in the 3rd period to give the Minutemen a 5-4 lead.

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What they’re saying

“We have to find a way to capitalize on those moments to go forward and not take a half step back.”

— Norm Bazin, UMass Lowell head coach (lowellsun.com)

“My linemates played unbelievable, set me up a bunch. I think we were just going as a team. We're on that streak right now, and we're trying to continue that.”

— Jack Musa (lowellsun.com)

What’s next

UMass is set to return to the Tsongas Center on Friday (7:15 p.m.) before the de facto three-game series shifts to the Mullins Center on Saturday (7:30 p.m.).

The takeaway

The River Hawks' struggles at home this season are concerning, as the Tsongas Center is typically a tough environment for opposing teams. UMass Lowell will need to find a way to start winning at home if they want to improve their overall record and make a push for the Hockey East playoffs.