Game Notes

THE MATCHUP: Bentley hosts Sacred Heart this weekend at Bentley Arena on Friday and Saturday nights. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm on Friday and 5:05 pm on Saturday.

When the puck drops on Friday it will have been just under six weeks since Bentley took the ice at home. That was a 3-1 victory over Mercyhurst to close out the first half of the season and extended the team's winning streak to five games. The Falcons played their first game of the second half on Saturday at Merrimack and dropped a 4-1 decision. They sport an overall record of 10-8 and 8-4 in Atlantic Hockey.

Sacred Heart has already played three games in the second half and has gone 1-2. They split a series at Niagara on Jan. 7-8, with a 5-4 defeat in overtime and a 2-1 win. The Pioneers then lost at home to RIT on Tuesday by a score of 3-2. SHU is 7-8-3 overall and 5-5-2 in Atlantic Hockey.

BENTLEY'S UPDATED ATTENDANCE POLICY: Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, concessions and catering service will be closed at all athletic events until further notice. Individuals may not bring food and/or beverage items into the Arena, the basketball facility or the pool. Individuals with specific/special dietary needs due to medical conditions or religious requirements should contact the Athletic Department or Bentley Arena prior to arrival.

Bentley's existing vaccination or negative test policy remains in effect with masks required to be worn at all times. Those that choose not to comply will be asked to leave the premises.

FOLLOW THE GAMES: Both games can be seen live on FloHockey.TV. A subscription is required.

Live stats for each game can be found at https://bentleyfalcons.com/sports/mice/2021-22/schedule

Tickets for the games this weekend can be purchased at the following link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/12892/the-bentley-arena

If you are planning to attend, please note Bentley University's spectator policy: https://bentleyfalcons.com/information/Spectators_Policy

LAST TIME OUT: Bentley dropped a 4-1 decision at Merrimack last Saturday in a non-conference game that snapped its five-game winning streak.

Sophomore goalie Nicholas Grabko made a career-high 46 saves. Graduate student defenseman Matt Lombardozzi scored a power play goal at 18:25 of the 3^rd period. That was his 5^th power play goal of the season.

ATLANTIC HOCKEY STANDINGS: Bentley comes into the weekend tied for second in the Atlantic Hockey standings with Canisius. Both teams have 23 points. AIC is currently in first place with 26 points on the strength of a six-game winning streak. Sacred Heart comes into the weekend in 5^th place in the standings with 20 points.

SERIES NOTES: Sacred Heart leads the all-time series 38-34-6. The teams played three times last season with the Pioneers winning two of three. Bentley won the most recent meeting, 5-4 in overtime on Feb. 16, 2021 at Sacred Heart. Bentley's Matt Gosiewski scored the winner 25 seconds into overtime. Gosiewski had two goals that night, and Brendan Hamblet was also among the goal scorers. Drew Bavaro had three assists.

The teams played a home and home series last February as well, which SHU swept. In three games all-time at Bentley Arena, SHU has won two of three.

These teams will meet again in a few weeks at Sacred Heart on Feb. 10-11.

BAVARO ON FAN BALLOT FOR HOBEY: Sophomore defenseman Drew Bavaro is on the fan ballot for the 2022 Hobey Baker Award. Fans can vote once a day at https://hobeybaker.com/awards/vote-for-hobey/

Bavaro is one of the highest scoring defensemen in the nation. He currently leads the Falcons in both assists (9) and points (15) and is tied for the team lead in goals (6).

Among defensemen in Atlantic Hockey, he ranks second in both goals and points. And nationally his six goals are tied for the 7^th most among defensemen.

ANOTHER PP GOAL FOR LOMBARDOZZI: Graduate student defenseman Matt Lombardozzi scored his 5^th power play of the season on Saturday at Merrimack. That is tied for the 9^th most nationally and tied for the most in Atlantic Hockey, with Canisius' Austin Alger.