Hockey Returns to Bentley Arena for Home Games vs. Holy Cross and UMass-Lowell
The Matchups: Bentley returns to Bentley Arena this weekend to begin a four game home stand. This weekend features two different opponents coming to town, Atlantic Hockey rival Holy Cross on Friday night and UMass-Lowell from Hockey East on Saturday night.
The Falcons will come into Friday's game against Holy Cross, the first at the new Arena between the long-time rivals, with a 0-1-1 Atlantic Hockey record after a loss and tie against AIC last week in two closely contested games on the road. Holy Cross is 1-1 in conference play so far after a split with Canisius on opening weekend, and 1-3 overall after two defeats to ECAC teams St. Lawrence and Clarkson last weekend.
UMass-Lowell on the other hand will come into Saturday's tilt after having played its first Hockey East game of the season the night before at home against Northeastern. So far they are 2-2, having split series with RIT and Miami.
Follow the Games: Tickets for games at Bentley Arena and parking at the arena can be purchased all season at the following link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/12892/the-bentley-arena
All Bentley Atlantic Hockey games, and all home games, can again be seen on AtlanticHockey.TV this season. Bentley's channel can be accessed at the following link: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/bentleyhockey/
The cost is $104.99 for the season, and $10.99 for a day pass.
Last Time Out: Bentley played two back and forth games against AIC on the road last week. The goals were flying as the teams combined to light the lamp 17 times in the two games. The first game featured four goals and two ties in the 3rd period to send the game to OT tied 4-4, before the Yellow Jackets won it 1:01 into OT. Sophomore Luke Santerno had two assists, and transfer Drew Best scored his first Bentley goal in the 3rd period.
The second game was another back and forth contest that featured three ties. Defenseman Alexey Solovyev scored his second goal of the series in the first period, and freshman Brendan Walkom scored his first career goal in the 3rd period.
Most Recent: Bentley and Holy Cross played twice last season, with the Crusaders winning both games by scores 4-3 in OT and 5-0. Among those to score for the Falcons in the first game were Tanner Jago and Michael Zuffante.
The Falcons and River Hawks played last season up in Lowell on Nov. 28, and Bentley came away with a 3-2 victory in overtime. Each team scored once in the 1st and 2nd periods. For Bentley both goals were by defensemen, Connor Brassard in the 1st frame and Tanner Jago in the 2nd. The game went into OT tied 2-2, where Ryner Gorowsky scored the winner at 3:24 for a victory over the 18th ranked River Hawks.
Series History: Friday's game will be the 65th all-time meeting between the Falcons and Crusaders. That makes them Bentley's 4th most played opponent, behind Sacred Heart (71), and Army and AIC (both 65).
Saturday will be 7th meeting between Bentley and UML with this being Bentley's first time as the host.
Bentley vs. Hockey East: Bentley has beaten a Hockey East team in eight of the last 10 seasons, with the wins coming against six different teams; UMass-Lowell (2017-18), UNH (16-17), Northeastern (10-11, 12-13, 15-16), Boston Univ. (13-14), UMass (09-10) and Maine (08-09). Later this season, travel to Boston College (Nov. 23) and UNH (Dec. 30).
Up Next: Bentley is back at home next weekend for a two game series against Sacred Heart, with the game times 7:05 on Friday night and 6:05 on Saturday.