The Connector - February 16, 2016

Winter weather update â–ş Page 3

THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

February 16, 2016

Zink, Chapie help River Hawks keep pace in Hockey East playoff race

In This Issue Valentine’s Day culture

â–ş Page 4

Marlon Pitter

‘Deadpool’ review

â–ş Page 5 2016 Red Sox roster

George DeLuca/Connector

Connector Editor

â–ş Page 6

‘13 Hours’ review â–ş umlconnector.com

Final River Hawk Scores Team

Score

Overall Record

W. Basketball at UMBC

L 52-68 4-21

M. Basketball vs. UMBC

W 96-92

Hockey vs. 7 BU

W 6-3 18-7-5

Hockey at 7 BU

L 1-2

11-15

17-7-5

No grey area here: White is the real deal Kyle Gaudette Connector Editor

If you want to buy him a drink, you need to wait until April 2018. But if you want him to run baseline to baseline, be a floor general and occasionally pull up for a mid-range jumpshot Isaac White is your man.

In case you are unaware, the UMass Lowell Men’s Basketball squad has potentially the best point guard in America East, and he is only 18 years old. White came in as one of eight freshmen this season, but has since supplanted himself as not just the starting point guard, but the future of UMass Lowell basketball. “He’s a great point guard,� said UMass Lowell head coach Pat Duquette. “I think when you look at his statistics the first thing that jumps out at you are points, and that’s what everybody notices the most. But he’s carried the huge responsibility of playing point guard as a freshmen and running our team.�

As a first-year player, White’s numbers are impressive. He is second on the team in scoring with 11.4 points per game and leads the team in 3-pointers made at 60 – second is Matt Harris only at 48. Not only is White leading the team from beyond the arc, but he is doing so at an impressive 43.2 percent rate good for fourth-best in America East.

A hat trick by junior defenseman Dylan Zink and two goals from senior forward Adam Chapie paved the way toward a 6-3 victory for the No. 11 River Hawks (18-7-5, 115-4 Hockey East) over the No. 7 Boston University Terriers (17-9-4, 10-5-3 Hockey East) Saturday night in front of 6,103 at the Tsongas Center.

The River Hawks played an advantageous game, repeatedly turning Terrier miscues into goals throughout the contest despite being outshot 3928. “It seemed like every mistake we made ended up in the back of our net,�

Senior forward Adam Chapie tees up the pick for his first of two goals in the River Hawks’ victory over Boston University Saturday night at the Tsongas Center.

Boston University Head Coach David Quinn said.

Zink opened the scoring for the River Hawks with a wrist shot near

the left faceoff circle that beat Terrier goalie Sean Maguire above his glove at 11:26 in the first period. A.J. White and Ryan

â–ş See “Hockey,â€? page 7

O’Leary Library prepares for facelift with digital media major on track George DeLuca Connector Staff

With director Mitch Shuldman and key associate John Callahan about to retire, students, faculty, and staff are wondering about the future of the Media Center at the O’Leary Library on south campus.

The center’s future will be driven by two variables, the ongoing library revitalization project and the finalization of a standalone digital media program.

The O’Leary Library is in the midst of a two-pronged transition that will return over 170,000 books to the south campus, while it expands and consolidates its digital media capability.

Over the last 38 years, UMass Lowell Associate Provost Dr. Charlotte Mandell has been an eyewitness to the growing availability of technology on campus. “Obviously, the world’s changed.

We have projectors in every class-

► See �White,� page 7

Sections News.............................3 Campus Life.................. 4 A&E.............................. 5 Sports........................... 6

Dmowski earned assists on the goal.

The Terriers responded less than two minutes

George DeLuca/Connector

Director of Libraries George Hart plans to upgrade O’Leary Library.

room now, and most of the media required for courses can be put online and streamed via computers and handheld technology,� said Mandell.

George Hart, director of libraries for UMass Lowell, is currently working with UMass Lowell officials, library partners, and an architectural firm to upgrade the functionality of O’Leary. A focus on the Media Center is central to this effort. “While two valued employees are retiring, the library will continue to offer a full range of digital media services. We will not be reducing the type of services offered or when they are available to students and other members of the campus community. Services will continue to be offered in the same location,� Hart said.

To help deal with a constantly changing technological landscape, the library depends on its relationship with the UMass Lowell IT Department, which oversees the university’s technical ► See �O’Leary,� page 3

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February 16, 2016

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS Should voting be mandatory?

Jennifer Wall UML Student

According to the Center for the Study of the American Electorate, in the last four presidential elections the percentage of voters to participate has not peaked 62.3 percent. This means that nearly 38 percent of the population has chosen to abstain from casting their ballot. Leading us to question why this is happening in the first place. Well in the United States it can be pretty much summed up to apathy; a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

There are reasons that on the surface seem to be legitimate that nonvoters give for their lack of participation; the length of the lines might be too long, registration forms are too difficult to fill out, or they are just too busy are

given as typical top excuses. Maybe even they do not fully see the effects or power that anyone elected into office has. They are just that, excuses. If the same people swapped the purpose of the event from voting to say purchasing the next iPhone, or concert tickets they would not justify their lack of attendance with any of those reasons.

Now since these voters are essentially not interested to attend by their own choice, what would happen if they were forced to vote? Well obviously the amount of votes across candidates would increase due to the compulsory attendance. Perhaps this would alter election results. But it cannot be guaranteed that forced votes would improve the quality of the results.

An individual’s vote is important but if it is uninformed it performs a

detrimental action against the rest of the electorate. Nonvoters that have not been able to put the effort into ticking a checkbox, cannot be expected to spend the time learning about candidates in all parties and their positions on current issues. When individuals like this are forced to vote, they just vote. Because of this compulsory voting is one of the worst things we can do to change our election process.

What needs to happen is the culture and attitude associated with voting has to change. Today candidates like Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are doing just that. They are energizing the populace to speak their minds and causing spiked attendance at their rallies. Even if these candidates are

not your frontrunners, they are breaking the mold of the traditional candidate.

These candidates are starting to change the political scene, but we need to change the conversation. When you discuss politics or bring up issues remember that the focus of discussion is to not convert a person to your beliefs.

It is to involve them, remember too ask them about their opinions. Make conversation, show individuals that they have interesting points to bring to the table, even if it is contrary to your beliefs. An appreciated individual will continue the conversation, will develop interest in the process, and will be more likely to make an informed vote.

THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

UMASS LOWELL CONNECTOR

EDITORIAL BOARD MARLON PITTER Editor-In-Chief REGINA ALONGI Operations Manager KATRINA DESROSIERS Copy Editor NINA PETROPOULOS Web Manager MICHAELA HYDE ZACHARY ZUBER Social Media Managers EVANTHIA TULLY Photo Editor KELLY FREITAS JENNA FREITAS LISETTE PEĂ‘A Graphic Designers OPEN Advertising Manager GRYPHON LAYNE Distribution Manager

DAVE RUDDERHAM SAM LINSTEAD-ATKINSON News Editors

Courtesy of Medford Patch

Individuals enter a polling center to vote.

KYLE GAUDETTE Sports Editor SHANE FOLEY Campus Life Editor JEN DESROSIERS BRENDAN JACQUES Arts & Entertainment Editors GRYPHON LAYNE Comics Editor MICHAEL PAIGE Multimedia Director JONATHAN SILVERMAN Advisor

Staff JACOB BOUCHER RICHARD BUDD MICHAEL CALAMONICI TAYLOR CARITO JEFFREY CULLEN GEORGE DELUCA COLE FITZGERALD ALEXA HYDE

OWEN JOHNSON RYAN JUSSAUME HANNAH MANNING EMILY TOOMEY HENRY ST. PIERRE BENJAMIN ST. PIERRE SHAYNA VIGLIOTTA JENNIFER WALL

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February 16, 2016

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NEWS Changes to come to O’Leary Library, digital media program ►Continued from front page

infrastructure. IT personnel were crucial to implementing both the new Mac computer lab in room 140, and the collaboration computer space in the library administration office. Similar improvements in nearby spaces are planned.

“140” offers a top shelf A/V capability and provides 32 additional workstations, each equipped with the full Adobe digital media suite. The Digital Media program and other academic departments utilizes the teaching lab. It’s also open late night to students of all disciplines.

Step one of Hart’s revitalization plan is to “democratize” the facility.

To start with, Hart is about to turn back the tide on an ill advised plan, which moved thousands of books from O’Leary to the Lydon Library on the north campus. This has been a sore spot between Library staff and Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences faculty. The resolution brings the misplaced books back to O’Leary beginning this summer.

Step two will provide more open space on the first two levels of the library to connect departments more

efficiently and incorporate some new spatial elements. Hart said he wants to provide “bigger, better, faster, and stronger” space, service, and support.

Mandell agreed. “Ultimately, there will be a wide range of services over a wide range of space,” said Mandell.

Step three is to make the Media Center a more visible hub by opening it up to the adjacent spaces. Library Coordinator Mehmed Ali’s charge is to fast track the Media Center transition plan. Ali’s goal is to maintain the operation’s current quality of service, while facilitating its transition into the grand plan for the facility.

Mandell elaborated on Hart’s plan to “democratize” the Media Center, “This means there will be more places where people can work, and more people who have skill sets to help the people working.” The program will be geared towards accommodating students and faculty by meeting them at their level of expertise, while expanding the base of digital media services.

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Step four involves the incorporation of the fledgling digital media program, which is soon to become a major. “The digital media program has preliminary approval from the faculty senate, the university Board of Trustees, and the President’s Office. Once it’s approved, we think it’ll attract a lot of students,” Mandell said.

“Ultimately, there will be a wide range of services over a wide range of space.”

Julie Nash, PhD, is an associate dean in the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences that has observed more students trying to get into the program.

“Our next step is to flesh out the details and submit the proposal through the same channels again. The university has been enthusiastic about moving in this direction and students are clamoring for it. We already have 60 and growing enrolled in the minor.

We have every expectation that we’ll be able to offer this major soon, and with luck, to our incoming fall 2017 students,” said Nash.

As the Digital Media program continues to grow, so will its association with the Media Center. Dr. Mandell expects two approaches to Media Center operations, one that supports an expanding digital media program and one that serves faculty and students in other disciplines and programs university wide. To meet growing needs, the Media Center will expand by merging and consolidating with programming in adjacent and remote spaces.

The overall library improvements project will involve some wall removal, adding short mobile stacks throughout the facility, and repurposing various spaces to create a more connected and efficient environment with a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

For any comments or questions regarding this story contact the author George_DeLuca@student.uml.edu

Lowell unlikely to repeat last winter Eleazar Saintius Connector Contributor

Remember last winter? When it seemed like it would never end?

Snowstorm after snowstorm buried Massachusetts.

Frank Colby is an atmospheric science professor and a lead expert in weather. He explained why we saw an extraordinary winter. “It depends a lot on the position of the jet stream,” said Colby. The jet stream got stuck last year.

The jet stream is a narrow, variable band of very strong, predominantly westerly air currents encircling the globe several miles above the earth.

The jet stream controls how cold it gets. It also controls where storms form.

There is a polar jet stream from Canada, as well as a southern jet stream in the southern parts of the United States.

For the past couple of winters, there was a Ridge of high pressure over the west coast. This brought dry and warm conditions towards California and the Southern Plains. On the east coast, there was a troughing low-pressure system that brought cold and snow.

The jet stream did not move last year however, it got stuck into a position that allowed storms to form one after another. There are always waves of energy in upper atmosphere, allowing storms to form and get drawn down.

Colby expects a cold pattern for the next two to three weeks. We are now in a pattern that is favorable to winter weather, as waves of energy have transferred into the stratosphere, weakening the polar vortex from above forcing cold air to meander towards New England.

Colby does not expect a repeat of last year. The trough and cold air location is different this year than that of last year. New England will continue to be on the edge of where the heaviest snow will be.

Colby is expecting a cold and dry pattern. However, a big snowstorm is not ruled out as Mother Nature is known to throw curveballs in our direction.

David Coe, a graduate student in atmospheric science expects a different scenario than Colby. Coe expects a cold pattern within the next two weeks. He believes that the best chance of seeing any winter weather is from now until the end of February.

Coe also expects a spring like transition with more mixed precipitation by the end of February and into the start of March.

Nick Buck, also an atmospheric science student expects a cold pattern for the next two weeks.

The good news for non-snow lovers is that, they probably will not be buried in copious amounts of snow this year.

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February 16, 2016

CAMPUS LIFE ACE creates first inclusive speed dating night Shane Foley Connector Editor

This year’s Speed Dating event in Fox Common was celebrated right after Sexapalooza, ACE made history.

They partnered with on-campus organization, Pride Alliance, who advocate for LGBT awareness. Together, they made the first ever sexual orientation inclusive speed dating night.

This event was conducted by arranging the tables in Fox Common in a circular formation. Participants were designated either on the inside or outside, and they had five minutes before one group of participants had to change seats to their left or right. The five minute time period seemed to be a good marker for the conversations that occurred that night. Kaitlyn Chretien, one such participant, said five minutes were, “not too short, but not too long.”

The catch this year, however, was that participants were given the choice to sit wher-

ever they pleased. “Usually, it will be boys on one side, girls on the other, but we just had everybody sit wherever they want,” said Travis, a member of Pride Alliance. “So, obvi-

tations didn’t mesch well.”

There were significantly more males than females at the event. While some participants were looking for love, many attended the event

er participant, said, “I don’t think I met the love of my life.” Some participants even went at the behest of others. Thomas King pointed at Chang and Chretien and said,

Evanthia Tully/Connector

Fox Common is the location for many fun events on a regular basis like the speed dating night.

ousely there were going to be times where the sexual orien-

simply for the fun of the evening. Christina Chang, anoth-

Regardless of their motivations, the event did see a lot of people attend. “I would say this is [a] pretty solid turnout because obviously there was a really big turnout for Sexapalooza before, and we were hoping people would linger afterward,” said Travis.

“That’s why they did it immediately after one another.”

Having attendees stay after Sexapalooza went a long way in making this event what it was. Some participants were already familiar with others because of the previous event. “It wasn’t too overwhelming for people because speed dating in this kind of forced social interaction can be very anxiety inducing for some people,” said Travis. “It wasn’t too big where that was a problem.”

Not everyone participated for the same reasons, but the event could certainly be considered a success. “I enjoyed it. It was great,” said Chretein.

“it was their idea and I tagged along.”

The future of Valentine’s Day: is it still worth it?

Gryphon Layne Connector Editor

Each year we dread the jokes about singles and the pressure to have a perfect date. But what is the deal with Valentine’s Day? It seems there is hardly a more reviled holiday besides Christmas. .Valentine’s Day does not seem like holiday our generation would be enthusiastic about. After all, we are in the process of rewriting the script for relationships. We are more single, more open to nonstandard relationships and getting settled down later.

Education, debt and a tough job market force many millennials to defer romantic prospects until later in life.

In the meantime, many turn to hookup culture to offer the intimacy their lives are otherwise lacking. Besides the fact that the holiday does not seem to match our lifestyles, it is overly commercialized and seems painfully forced. Sophomore Patrick Farley says, “It’s a great concept, but you don’t really need a specific day to celebrate love if you want to.” More than anything, millennials seem to crave authentic experiences untouched by cynical marketing. Valentine’s Day just does not hold the same appeal it did to older generations.

According to Gallup polls, more . millennials are single than any other generation before. Between 2004 and 2014, the number of millennials responding as single and not cohabiting with a partner rose 12 percent from 52 percent to 64 percent. In addition,

less millennials report having sex with a regular partner and more millennials report having sex with a friend or random partner. Indeed, it seems our generation prefers the fluid to the concrete. Acceptance of differing sexual orientations, sexual habits, and relationship styles has never been more widespread.

This has a few possible explana. tions. First, millennials are not focused on relationships. We live under tough economic circumstances. Many of the jobs we need to join the middle class require years of college and many more years of debt. The job market we enter is clogged with baby boomers, who are in turn living longer and retiring later. Barbora Papuga said, “I’m not at a point in my life where I’m willing to compromise my goals and dreams, so I am not choosing to be in a relationship. I need to focus all my energy into building my education and career.” .Senior Joshua Sacco said, “I don’t have time to date. I barely have time to think about the opposite sex. I barely have time to text you this.” Many think we just do not have time for a significant other in the rat race.

Another explanation is commit. ment phobia. Many millennials grew up with divorced parents, and experiencing a divided life made them less likely to settle down until they were sure they were making the right decision. In addition, with the ever widening circle of possible partners many suffer from what sociologist Yue Xu

calls the “Buffet Effect.” “The biggest blunder of this generation is having too many options available without a concrete filter to help them narrow down their choices. They get what I call the ‘Buffet Effect’ when it comes to online dating; i.e., they want to try it all and always think there’s a better option out there.” .Of course, our changing methods of meeting each other is another possible explanation for our relative uncoupledness. Social media has completely changed our interactions with each other, moving online much of what formerly had to be face to face conversations. The rise of smart phones has put us in constant contact with each other. All of this has deemphasized face to face interactions that used to be the bread and butter of romantic relationships. Now we can skype the old flame back home while Facebook messaging a crush studying abroad.

Increased connectivity allows us to juggle multiple partners. .Finally, the advent of hookup culture has brought the old tradition of monogamy under fire. While delaying plans to settle down, many millennials enjoy the benefits of a free and open sexual environment. Many no longer want to settle down with one partner.

Open relationships, an evolution of the boomer’s swingers, have become more and more common. With a brand new world of sexual opportunities ahead, why turn back to plain old monogamy? .Despite the obvious upsides to hook-

up culture, there are some drawbacks.

According to pew polls some 40 percent of millennials are depressed with hookup culture. As much fun as sex without strings can be, without supportive peers it can be a devaluing experience for some. In addition, being closed to relationships can mean sometimes a good match may pass by.

However, millennials have invert. ed the traditional relationship script.

We often have sex before even entertaining the idea of dating. Maybe this trend is more indicative of what we really want. Maybe sex is secondary to intimacy. Is it possible that we have been raised with skewed priorities and unrealistic expectations of relationships? It does not seem surprising that so many put so much emphasis on sex in their lives when pop culture does the same. It is not surprising that we are leery of relationships when we see more divorces and bad couples than positive examples of couples on television. Maybe our generation is still maturing and developing its own ideas about the way we want to live. .I see some hope for the future of Valentine’s Day, if not in its traditional form. As we move into the future it is important to have a day set aside to celebrate love. It does not have to be about love in a relationship. You could send a Valentine to everyone you care about. It does not have to be commercialized. Make your own valentines or chocolates. Go out and do something with someone you love.

February 16, 2016

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Classic game review: ‘Super Mario World’ Shane Foley Connector Editor

The 21st Century has already seen many classic games be ported to contemporary consoles. With Nintendo’s E-Shop, they can ensure that the most valued titles in their catalog can be played by today’s gamers in their classic form. Since Nintendo goes through such lengths to make sure new fans can get to play these old games, what does it say about games that continue to be re-released? There are rare titles that seem to get a new reboot with every new console.

“Super Mario World,” a game released on the Super Nintendo System in America in 1991, was rebooted for “Super Mario All Stars” game in 1994, ported to the Game Boy Advanced with “Super Mario Advanced II”, made available for the Virtual Console on the Nintendo Wii, and is on the Nintendo E-Shop. That is how much Nintendo wants younger audiences to be exposed to this game.

As a reboot, it makes sense why Nintendo would keep releasing this game. Now that Mario has traveled to space in recent games, (as well as the Olympics and a paint covered resort) “Super Mario World” serves as a good history lesson for newer gamers. It has all the elements of a classic game. In those good ol’ 16-bit graphics, you can choose between Mario and Luigi for any level in this side scrolling adventure that involves jumping on Goombas and Koopas like original games.

Here, you travel to Dinosaur Land instead of the Mushroom Kingdom, but Bowser still has Peach locked away in a castle and you still have to save her (no worries, she is actually there and not in another castle).

While staying true to repeated ele-

ments in the “Mario” games, “Super Mario World” also began many traditions that are revisited in subsequent titles. Perhaps the biggest tradition was that it was the first game where you could ride Yoshi, the green dinosaur that has been so beloved by fans.

The Koopalings are also seen here (no Bowser, Jr. though). Among these elements, “Super Mario World” incorporated new levels called ghost houses, which have been seen at some point in most other games, whether it be the King Boo level in “Super Mario Sunshine” or the haunted house in “Super Mario 64.”

This game does stay true to Mario’s roots, while planting some roots of its own. There is a lot going for this game other than nostalgia, however. This game would not be cemented in Nintendo’s long standing history if it was not for its insane level design. Gamers might be familiar with the traditional Mario format, where Mario deals with the obstacles set before him to reach a flagpole or something of the like to beat the level. Instead of a flagpole, “Super Mario World” has a line of tape that moves up and down, and you have to break the tape to beat the level. This milestone is not always placed at the very right of the environment, though. Some levels have you going through multiple rooms, planting the exit to levels backwards from the direction you are going, even going so far as to have multiple exits.

In this game you also see a wide array of environments. There are several underwater levels, forest levels, levels high in the mountains, undergroud levels and one level on a bridge in the sky that might be one of the most difficult levels in “Mario” history. It is very hard to be bored at this

Courtesy of Nintendo

“Super Mario World” featured various hidden vines, pipes and other secrets.

game, since you are traveling around so many different places.

The enemies you encounter in “Super Mario World” are also noteworthy. There are your standard Goombas and Koopas. There are also football players of all things that take three jumps to be defeated. Bullets fly at you at some levels, underwater levels have large puffer fish that are hard to avoid and dry bones that respawn after you defeat them given some time. It will be tough dealing with these monsters, but you will remember them after you have defeated them.

Perhaps one of the best aspects in the game is the variety. As said before, Yoshi was introduced in this game. There are four different colored Yoshies. These Yoshies will gain different abilities depending on their color when they swallow a koopa shell.

Also, there are four different block switches that need to be activated to progress through the game. Mario has great power ups, with the classic fire flower and the cape that lets you fly high above the environment. You can waste a lot of time just flying around on certain levels.

On top of all these things that make this experience magical, it has great

replay value. You have a lot of freedom in this game as there are many secret passageways and hidden areas that allow different playthrough options. Some of these secrets let you sequence break a lot of the environment, making this game very good for speedrunning. The world record for a speedrun of “Super Mario World” without a glitch is 10 minutes and 46 seconds. The secrets also make a 100 percent playthrough take a long time. Many players will play the game sometimes for 100 percent, and others just to get to the final Bowser battle as quick as possible.

As with a lot of good “Mario” games, “Super Mario World” has a great soundtrack. The game has the fun little jingles that usually accompany a Mario title as well as eerie themes like the Castle Theme.

Even thought it was origionally released on the SNES, it does not feel like an old game. There are so many cherished moments in this game that it just feels like another trip to the Mushroom Kingdom. In a gaming scene that is dominated by intricate first person shooters and vivid action adventure games, this is one retro platformer you will not be bored with.

‘Deadpool’ doesn’t quite stick the landing Owen Johnson Connector Staff

“Deadpool” is the eight movie in the “X-Men” film franchise from 20th Century Fox and the first in an at least two movie franchise for “Deadpool.”

In an effort to combat his terminal cancer, former Special Forces soldier turned mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) submits himself to an experiment that will not only cure his cancer, but give him super powers. After discovering that he is being lied to about the nature of the experiment and being disfigured in the process, Wilson vows to track down the man in charge of the experiments.

The one aspect of “Deadpool” that was done perfectly was the character of Deadpool. From what little I do know about the character, the movie’s interpretation of him was exactly what I imagined it would be, and I imagine any one who’s a fan of the Deadpool character won’t be disappointed by the portrayal.

Other than Deadpool, there is not much else that shines out, which I would attribute to the work done by the director, Tim Miller. While Miller’s work on the movie was competent, his contribution doesn’t elevate the material in any way. The only part of the

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

“Deadpool” is the first Marvel superhero film rated R.

movie that stood out from the rest was the opening title sequence, which isn’t surprising since Miller’s only other directorial work was for the title sequence of David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and the opening sequence of “Thor: The Dark World.”

“Deadpool” has a lot of comedic moments, but it all feels like the writers were trying too hard to make it funny. Instead of coming off like Wade Wilson is a witty, sometimes sarcastic joker, it comes off like the writers wrote down everything they thought could work as a joke and put it in as one of Wilson’s lines in the hopes that it would elicit a laugh from the audience. There are a couple of really humorous bits in the movie, but the rest of the material ranges

anywhere from chuckle-worthy to not eliciting any response.

The villain (Ed Skrein) is one of the most boring villains I’ve ever seen in a superhero movie. He has no personality or charm, nor a consistent evil scheme. At first, he is the scientist who is in charge of the experiment that disfigures Wilson who is trying to make mutants to sell for a profit. After Wilson escapes from him, that plot never shows up again and at the beginning of the movie, he’s in the middle of doing something else. Then, after he learns that Wilson is Deadpool, he drops everything he’s doing and kidnaps Wilson’s ex-girlfriend (Morena Baccarin) instead. He doesn’t even compensate for these shortcomings with some incredible mutant power to make him a formidable adversary. He is merely unable to feel pain. So, he can be harmed, but he just won’t feel it.

The ultimate irony of the whole thing is that as non-conventional as the Deadpool character and the style of this movie were for a superhero movie, it still manages to feel extremely uninspired. It has some fun moments, but that’s about it.

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February 16, 2016

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

February 16, 2016

SPORTS

SPORTS

Hockey gets biggest win of the year

Your 2016 Red Sox roster breakdown Ben St. Pierre Connectot Staff

The 2015 Boston Red Sox finished a lot stronger than they started, bolstered by the youth of the team giving it all they had, and by the new Dave Dombrowski-headed leadership. The 2015-2016 offseason brought in David Price and Chris Young via free agency (and other minor league deals), and Craig Kimbrel, Carson Smith, and Roenis Elias via trade. While the two trades cost the team Wade Miley and valuable prospects, Dombrowski has demonstrated that he will not stand pat and enter the 2016 season without reinforcing the roster to the best of his abilities – or, reinforcing it in the way he sees fit. The roster seems to be set, with Red Sox “Truck Day” being on February 10, and it is thus not too early to analyze the team as it currently stands.

MLB.com’s Red Sox depth chart is the main source for these rankings and their analysis.

STARTING ROTATION: David Price is the team’s obvious ace, signed to be such, and will be the Opening Day starter. Who follows Price, likely Clay Buchholz, as the team’s number two, seems to be set as well. Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez fill out the three or four slots, and Joe Kelly will be fifth, at least to start the year. The rotation has a few question marks after Price – can Buchholz stay healthy? Maybe? Can Porcello finally settle into his number three role and pitch to what works for him (keeping the ball down and not attempting to be a power pitcher)?

Can Rodriguez quit tipping his pitches and establish himself as a premier lefty in the game? And can Joe Kelly’s dominant end-of-season run continue, or can he at least come close to it?

Depth is the rotation’s strength

Winslow Townson/AP

The Red Sox are hoping David Price can be the ace the team didn’t have last season.

more than domination, as Henry Owens, Brian Johnson, Roenis Elias, and Steven Wright provide serviceable backup options. Owens, Johnson, and Elias all could be deemed more than serviceable as well, but more Triple A time will not do any damage, especially for Johnson, who will be returning from elbow problems.

BULLPEN: The main highlight of the 2016 bullpen is Craig Kimbrel, who took Manuel Margot, Javier Guerra, Logan Allen, and Carlos Asuaje to pry away from the Padres. Carson Smith took Wade Miley and Jonathan Aro to get from the Mariners, and both Kimbrel and Smith will team up with Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara to form a back-end of the bullpen that rivals the Yankees’ and Royals’ in dominance – or so it’s hoped. Robbie Ross Jr., Matt Barnes, Tommy Layne, Heath Hembree, and Noe Ramirez are all bullpen options, and even Elias and Wright could fit in there if necessary; Kelly as well, if he falters in the rotation.

The bullpen was a weakness of the Red Sox in 2015, but in 2016, it should be a lot stronger, even if it took a lot to nab Kimbrel in particular.

OUTFIELD: Mookie Betts will be a star, or is already, depending on who you talk to.

He will be in right. Jackie Bradley Jr.’s outfield prowess guarantees him the center field job if he can prove to be able to hit at least to a fraction of his late-season run in 2015. Rusney Castillo will be in left, hoping to have a breakout season, and Chris Young, Brock Holt, and Travis Shaw (if he plays some outfield, probably left) provide decent bench options.

Andrew Benintendi, the team’s firstround (seventh overall) draft pick in 2015, will likely be lurking around the corner come late summer or September, if he continues his huge production and torridly ascends the system, as Kyle Schwarber (Cubs) and Michael Conforto (Mets) did following their college careers. He’ll likely be more of a realistic option in 2017, though, leaving a Castillo/Bradley/ Betts outfield, with Young getting a fair share of at-bats, as the primary set.

THIRD BASE: Pablo Sandoval has reportedly dropped 20 pounds this offseason, and his production in 2015 (-0.9 WAR, ac-

cording to Baseball Reference) probably, hopefully, can’t get worse. Travis Shaw and Brock Holt provide valuable depth.

SHORTSTOP: Xander Bogaerts, with Holt and Marrero behind him.

SECOND BASE: Dustin Pedroia is a, or the, face of the Red Sox, but he has to stay healthy, because his 2015 production was actually very good. Brock Holt and Deven Marrero may see a fair amount of time, though. It’s not realistic to expect Yoan Moncada to be a call-up, even in September, and he may not be a second baseman by the time his call-up occurs.

FIRST BASE: Hanley Ramirez, the man, the crusher, and the enigma, struggled terribly in left field in 2015, but first base requires less motion, but more intricate footwork. A former shortstop, though not exactly an elite one, Ramirez should hopefully not be a travesty here, but that is a possibility. His bat should rebound, but if his defense is intolerably horrid, Travis Shaw, Brock Holt, and minor league raker Sam Travis (by September, or even earlier, perhaps) exist as options.

CATCHER: The Red Sox have a lot of catching depth, and it’s a great problem to have. Blake Swihart will be the primary starter, with Ryan Hanigan his backup, as Christian Vazquez works his way back and builds his strength in Pawtucket at the start of the year.

Once Vazquez is ready, the Sox may find themselves in an interesting predicament – to balance Swihart’s abnormal catcher’s offense, Vazquez’s defensive prowess, and Hanigan’s veteran presence. But this is a “problem” that any team would love to have.

River Hawks fall at Boston University, 8-5, in season opener UMass Lowell Athletics

BOSTON -- Junior midfielder Sam Klingsporn (Aloha, Ore.) scored four goals as the UMass Lowell Men’s Lacrosse team fell at Boston University, 8-5, in the season opener on Friday afternoon at Nickerson Field.

The River Hawks came out storming with goals by sophomore midfielder Keenan Koswin (Winnipeg, Man.) and Klingsporn to take a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter with goals at 3:58 and 1:13.

Klingsporn then added a goal at 12:45 of the second and with eight seconds left in the half. UMass Lowell held a 4-1 lead at haltime and owned a 17-6 shot advantage as the headed to the locker room.

Klingsporn scored to opening the scoring at 13:50 of the third quarter and then the Terriers never looked back scoring seven unanswered goals in the second half with three goals from James Burr and two goals Jack Wilson, along with tallies from Sam Tenney and Greg Farris. Burr finished the day with four goals in the win for the Terriers.

Freshman goalkeeper Grant Lardieri (Ada,

Mich.) made eight saves in his first career start for the River Hawks, while BU’s Christian Carson-Banister totaled seven stops. The Terriers finished the game with a 28-25 shot advantage, including a 22-8 advantage in the second half.

Page 7

The River Hawks return to action on Saturday, February 20th against Yale University. Game time from Cushing Field Complex is 1 p.m.

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

Sam Klingsporn scored an impressive four goals, but the River Hawks fell to Boston University 8-5.

► Continued from front page

later with a wraparound goal from freshman forward Bobo Carpenter after a defensive breakdown at 13:03 in the first.

Zink gave UMass Lowell a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission, however, with his second goal of the evening with a shot from just inside the blue line at 17:46 in the period. He then completed the hat trick at 3:13 in the second period to get things going for the River Hawks, good for his ninth goal of the season.

Zink’s hat trick is the first by a UMass Lowell defenseman since Dave Barozzino completed the feat against Michigan State in the NCAA tournament on Mar. 26, 1996.

“It’s definitely something you’ll remember,” Zink said. “You’ve got to give a lot of credit on those first two goals to net front presence.”

Chapie added two goals in the second period to extend the River Hawks’ lead to 5-1 and put the game out of reach for Boston University. Quinn’s attempt to shake up his team by pulling the struggling Maguire fell by the wayside, as Chapie’s goals came just nine seconds after putting sophomore Connor LaCouvee in net.

There was no quit in the Terriers, however, as Oskar Andrén scored from just outside the UMass Lowell crease at 14:52 in the second period to cut the River Hawks’ advantage to 5-2.

White earned the second of his two points on the night with a goal near the Boston University crease in which he batted a puck the bounced off LaCouvee’s right pad out of the air into the net at 15:13

in the third period to put UMass Lowell up 6-2.

Dmowski, as well as Joe Gambardella, were also multi-point scorers, each with two assists.

As the Terriers desperation for a victory mounted, so did their shots on goal. Goalie Kevin Boyle stopped 35 of 38 shots with 29 of his saves coming in the second and third periods.

“He’s been our most consistent performer all year long, and there were several great contributions tonight … but Kevin continues to be a star every night he plays,” UMass Lowell Head Coach Bazin said.

Once again, the Terriers fought back with late third-period goal from Brandon Fortunato, but the 6-3 deficit was too large to for the visitors with only 2:15 left in the game. Quinn pulled his goalie while on the power play with two minutes in regulation, but Boyle and the River Hawks stymied any offensive chances in the final minutes.

While penalty minutes racked up for both teams, the game only saw a total of five power play opportunities due to two sets of coincidental minor penalties in the first period. Even with talented special teams units, neither team scored on with the man advantage, and UMass Lowell did not record a shot on goal in their two chances.

In a crucial battle for Hockey East playoff positioning, UMass Lowell’s victory keeps them in fourth place in the conference with 26 points behind Notre Dame (30), Boston College (28) and Providence (27). The River Hawks widened their lead over Boston University (24) to three points and can

UP CO MI N G

River Hawk Games Tuesday, Feb. 16

7 p.m.

Hockey at AIC

Wednesday, Feb. 17

7 p.m.

MBB at UNH

Wednesday, Feb. 17

7 p.m.

WBB vs. UNH

Friday, Feb. 19

11 a.m. .SB vs. EMU

Friday, Feb. 19

7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 19

1 p.m. M+WXCTF at AEast Champ

Hockey vs. Umass

For more sports information and full game schedules visit goriverhawks.com Bradel

finish no lower than fifth in the conference standings.

“You want to play good teams heading into playoffs because you’re going to face those same type of teams,” Bazin said. “I think every win you get in this league builds a group dynamic, so this one was a good win tonight, especially after a tough one last night.”

The River Hawks take to the road to face American International College in Springfield, Mass.

Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Isaac White is as good a person as he is a basketball player ► Continued from front page

Much of what White does right does not show up in the box score. This season has been as much about the wins the team has been able to compile, as it has the emergence of White.

“He’s a quiet leader, mostly by example,” said Duquette. “He’s a very mature kid on and off the floor. He’s a good person. He’s unselfish, very caring, and very humble. Those are great qualities to have not just as a basketball player but as a person, and I think his teammates recognize that and give him a lot of respect just because of the person he is.”

The season has been a transition for White, who, like many other freshmen around the league, had to make the big jump to Division I ball. While he has made that transition look easy, coming in at only 6 foot tall and 165 pounds can be seen as a disadvantage.

While the freshmen--senior gap in high school is noticeable, the college equivalent is comparable to boys against men.

The physicality of Division I is a lot more intense,” said White. “Playing in high school, everyone was around my size.”

White grew up in Ashland, Ohio, where he has been playing basketball all his life. Before coming to UMass Lowell, White led his high school to a 22-2 record, and the Ohio Cardinal Conference Championship as a senior.

“I played in a league that was competitive, but it was not the top league in the state or anything,” said White.

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

White made his presence felt in game two of the season with his game-winner.

“There was AAU, too. I played in that on the national level. That definitely prepared me for UML.” His play in high school certainly caught the eye of UMass Lowell recruiters, but even they could not have imagined the player White has transformed into in just 25 games.

Athleticism is not a gift only Isaac has in the White household. Isaac’s father Matt played Division III basketball in college, while his mother Julie played high school sports. White always knew that basketball was his love, and his parents were supportive and on board.

“My dad was a high school basketball coach, so I was always in the gym with him shooting,” said White. “I just love the game. I kind of told my

dad I wanted to be a really good basketball player, so he made sure to push me. My dad was my coach growing up through elementary school and a little bit of AAU. When I got to high school he helped as an assistant coach.”

Isaac’s brother Elijah also shares a love for basketball. Elijah is currently in the seventh grade, and may potential be a River Hawk in the future.

“I usually try to beat him one-onone just to try to get him better,” White said with a smile. “He’s always in the gym shooting too, and he loves coming to the games.”

Basketball is a team sport, but every possession starts with the ball in the point guard’s hands. The point guard is not necessarily the best player on a team, but he/she is the one to get the

offense started.

White is a both scorer and a playmaker with the ball in his hands.

“He can shoot the ball, and he’s a real good decision-maker,” said Harris. “Playing with him this year has definitely made me want to take more pride in my shot. He’s fun to be around on and off the court. He knows when it’s time to be serious, and he knows when to joke around and have fun with the team. He’s just a great kid, and I’m glad that we have him.”

The future is nothing but bright for White here at UMass Lowell. As the NCAA Division I eligibility transition lifts after next season, White will be here to lead the River Hawks to the next step.

“Our junior year Jahad [Thomas] will be a senior,” said White. “We have a good core of young guys now, and I really think that we can make a run at the NCAA tournament.”

It is unclear what roster changes might happen between now and the NCAA postseason-eligible years, but Duquette is confident and more than pleased with the point guard he will have when that transition is made.

“I see him as being one of the best players to ever come through this school,” said Duquette. “I don’t mean to put that pressure on him, but he’s that good, and I know he’s going to work hard every day.”

Up and down the hallways and athletic facilities of UMass Lowell, White is the new blue.