LOWELL — UMass Lowell’s smallest defenseman is making a big impact at both ends of the ice.
Sophomore Isac Jonsson, a 5-foot-10, 182-pound native of Angelholm, Sweden, has netted three goals and two assists in UML’s last four games. In 24 games, he has compiled a 5-10-15 line, making him the team’s third-highest scoring player and the highest-scoring defenseman.
Jonsson arrived at UML with a reputation for having offensive skills. As a freshman, he dished out 10 assists but wasn’t able to score a goal. Now pucks are going in for him with regularity.
“He does a good job of getting pucks through. That’s why he’s here. He’s a good, puck-moving defenseman and can contribute offensively. He’s improved. Guys over the course of four years take extra steps,” UML head coach Norm Bazin said.
Of UML’s last 18 goals, seven have come from defensemen.
“If you look at college hockey, five-man attacks are everyone’s cup of tea,” UML head coach Norm Bazin said.
Junior Ben Meehan (4-9-13) and graduate student Jon McDonald (2-11-13) are two other defensemen who have been providing offense.
Jonsson is coming off a four-point weekend during a sweep of New Hampshire. For his efforts, Jonsson was named the Hockey East Defender of the Week.
“It boosts your confidence,” Jonsson said of contributing offensively. “When you have confidence you can do try more things. We’ve gotten good net front (presence) and make it hard for the goalies to see. I’m just trying to hit the net as many times as possible. We take pride in defense.”
But Jonsson said he’s confident UML’s blueliners can add to the attack if called upon.
Life of Brian
When he suffered a high ankle sprain during UML’s NCAA Tournament loss to Denver last March, Brian Chambers was disappointed to not be able to finish the game. But he wasn’t worried. After all, he had all summer to recuperate. The problem was his right ankle never got any better.
“It was very frustrating,” he said.
Finally, after not skating all summer, he returned to the ice shortly before UML’s season opener. Now the senior forward from Weymouth is playing some of the best hockey of his collegiate career. Even though he’s missed three games, he’s second on the team in scoring with six goals and 16 points. The goal and points are already a career high.
“It feels unbelievable,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to do that for awhile here. It’s definitely confidence.”
Chambers has produced offensively in recent games after being paired with senior center Carl Berglund and freshman winger Owen Fowler.
“He’s very good with his details right now,” Bazin said of Chambers. “He’s been one of our better forwards all year.”
Loose pucks
UML only plays once this weekend. The River Hawks (14-9-1, 8-5-1), winners of four of five, have a huge Hockey East game with UMass (9-12-3, 3-10-1) on Friday (7 p.m.) at the Tsongas Center. The River Hawks have 10 games left, all in Hockey East, and seven are at home.
UML lost to UMass, 2-1, on Nov. 15. In the Dec. 3 rematch, the teams skated to a 1-1 tie, though UML won in a shootout. UMass has the nation’s top-ranked power play, while UML’s penalty kill is the eighth best in the country. … UML enters this weekend 12th in the nation in attendance. The River Hawks, in 10 dates, have averaged 4,583 fans. Seven of their final 10 games are at the Tsongas Center. Their last home game, last Friday against UNH, was a sellout (6,016) and a big crowd is expected for the showdown with UMass on Friday.
“It’s awesome to play at home. The fans are great,” Jonsson said.
