The final score isn’t important. No goals or assists will be added to anyone’s point totals.
But the UMass Lowell hockey team is taking Friday’s exhibition game against a Canadian university quite seriously.
After a month of practicing against one another, the River Hawks are looking forward to skating against a new opponent in Concordia University at the Tsongas Center. Puck drop is 7 p.m. and admission for fans is free.
Montreal-based Concordia is annually one of the top university teams in Canada. Concordia already has three games under its belt from a tour of Italy.
Many Division 1 programs are beginning play this weekend, but head coach Norm Bazin said he’s fine with staging an exhibition game before the real action begin.
“If I could play a couple of exhibitions, I would,” he said. “It’s exciting.”
The coaching staff will use the exhibition to evaluate several new players. Look for a handful of extra skaters to see game action as the team prepares for the beginning of the regular season.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said senior defenseman Anthony Dowd, a transfer from Arizona State. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m hoping that the team as a whole comes together and really nails our systems down.”
The River Hawks will likely play seven defensemen when the regular season starts and 10 are on the roster. Competition to play will be fierce.
“I think we’ve got a great ‘D’ corps,” Dowd said. “All amazing guys and great players, too.”
UML opens the 2026-27 schedule a week from Friday, hosting Clarkson University at 7:15 p.m. The next day, at 4:05 p.m., the River Hawks will battle another ECAC opponent in St. Lawrence.
The River Hawks have made a concerted effort to bring in speedier players.
“I really like the tempo,” Bazin said of the practices. “We’ve made a point of pushing (the pace). I think we’ll be a better skating team.”
“I like the pace,” senior captain Jak Vaarwerk said. “You can tell our goal is to go north with the puck.”
Baseball hires
The UMass Lowell baseball team added two members to its coaching staff, head coach Nick Barese announced Thursday. The River Hawks brought back former player Joseph DeLanzo as an assistant coach and added Patrick Santorella in the same role.
“Our staff is thrilled to welcome Pat and Joe as assistant coaches,” Barese said. “Pat will oversee the hitters and outfielders, while Joe will assist with the hitters and coach the infielders.”
Santorella joins UML after coaching and playing for Wheaton. He served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for five seasons with the Lyons following a four-year career there.
After wrapping up the last two seasons of his playing career with the River Hawks, DeLanzo stays in the Mill City as an assistant coach. DeLanzo hit .269 in 77 games with UML and was the toughest player in the nation to strike out last season. He also played two seasons at Stony Brook, appearing in 23 games.