The Saints scored three goals in the last five minutes of the first period, but five straight goals from the River Hawks sent the St. Lawrence University men's hockey team to a 7-3 loss to UMass Lowell on Saturday evening at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y.

St. Lawrence fell to 2-13-1 overall, while Lowell improved to 6-8-0.

The Scarlet and Brown came out of the gates hot in the first two minutes of play, getting chances by Tyler Cristall and Jacob Bernadet, but Austin Elliott made the save on both bids.

Lowell turned things around moments later and took the lead at the 6:33 mark with a goal from Dillan Bentley. The River Hawks ended up doubling up their lead with a Dalyn Wakely goal at the 13:39 mark of the first.

St. Lawrence would respond with their first goal of the game with 5:02 left in the period. Cristall started the play, skipping a pass to Rasmus Svartström, who touched it to Cayden Casey. The sophomore raced through the defense and buried the shot through the five-hole to cut into the deficit.

Less than two minutes later, Svartström scored a goal of his own to knot the game up at 2-2. Cooper Pierson had the puck for the Saints and sent a pass up to Luke Santilli at the blueline. The defender fired a shot on goal that was deflected by Svartström over the shoulder of Elliott for the all-first-year connection.

The Scarlet and Brown weren't done as they took the lead with a minute and 33 seconds left in the frame. Gunnar Thoreson won a board battle behind the Lowell net that Frankie Carogioiello picked up. The Saints once again went to the blue line, this time to Sam Frandina. The first-year wired a wrist shot through traffic and in for his first career goal and the 3-2 lead at the break.

St. Lawrence had chances to extend their lead in the second period, but the River Hawks ended up tying the game at the 11:53 mark with a goal from Wakely. Lowell regained their lead in the final minute of the third when Jay Ahearn took advantage of a turnover and made it 4-3 with 29 seconds to go.

The Saints saw their first three shots of the third sail wide of Elliott before Lowell regained puck control. The River Hawks scored at the 3:22 and 13:13 marks to take a commanding lead.

St. Lawrence pulled Colin Winn with a minute and 14 seconds to go in the contest, but the River Hawks netted an empty-netter to further put the game out of reach.

Winn stopped 40 shots for the Saints, while Elliott made nine saves in the opposing net.

The Scarlet and Brown were afforded just one power play, going 0-for-1, while Lowell went 1-for-2 with the man advantage.

St. Lawrence will be back at home next Friday, December 5, when the team hosts Colgate in a 7 p.m. matchup.