The UMass Lowell hockey team will host an exhibition game Sunday afternoon at the Tsongas Center.

The River Hawks, who last took the ice on Dec. 10, will face Bentley University at 3:30 p.m. The game will not count in the standings, but it will serve as a tuneup for UML’s trip to California next week as the team begins its post-Christmas schedule.

The River Hawks (6-11-0) lost their final three games prior to Christmas, falling 3-1 twice to Boston College and then dropping a 5-4 overtime decision to Maine in Portland, Maine.

UML is led in the scoring column by freshman Dalyn Wakely (5-7-12), with senior Dillan Bentley (7-4-11) and sophomore Mirko Buttazzoni (4-6-10) close behind. Tied for fourth are graduate student and captain Jay Ahearn (6-3-9), junior Jak Vaarwerk (3-6-9) and sophomore Libor Nemec (2-7-9).

In net, Austin Elliott (2.75 goals against average, .896 save percentage) and Samuel Richard (2.72, .912) have seen plenty of action.

Bentley (9-6-1) is 8-1-1 in Atlantic Hockey play. Former UML associate head coach Andy Jones is in his third season as Bentley’s head coach.

Bentley allowed the fewest goals per game in Atlantic Hockey during Jones’ first two seasons in Waltham and the Falcons are again difficult to score on this season.

Former UML forward Dylan Cook, a sophomore, has compiled a 4-4-8 line in his first season at Bentley.

UMass Lowell will head to a warmer climate in the New Year and compete in the Cactus Cup in Palm Springs, Calif.

The River Hawks will face Minnesota State on Friday and then play either St. Cloud or Yale the next day.

Spinners news

The Lowell Spinners won’t compete in the Futures League until next year, but the team is already making news.

On Friday, the team announced the signing of catcher Brett Gallo, a five-year starter and two-time captain at St. Sebastian’s. Gallo will take his talents to Northeastern University and play for Billerica native Mike Glavine.

Three days before that another catcher, Cal Chance, committed to play for the Spinners. A native of Wolcott, Conn., the all-state player will be plenty familiar with LeLacheur Park as he’s headed to attend UMass Lowell.

Making history as the first Spinners’ signing on Dec. 18 was Bradley McCafferty. A catcher/utility player, McCafferty is a Beverly native and a four-year starter at Austin Prep in Reading. He will attend and play at the University of Virginia.