Bentley to Host #ThumbsupforDec on Friday Night vs. Sacred Heart
WALTHAM, Mass. – On Friday night when Bentley hosts Sacred Heart, the team will welcome the family of three-year old Walthan native Declan Lyons, who is suffering from childhood brain cancer, for #ThumbsupforDec. Proceeds from the game will be donated to Declan's family as the Bentley and greater Waltham communities come together to support his cause. Puck drop at Bentley Arena is 7:05 PM and tickets are still available by clicking HERE
Declan's family and friends will be in attendance on Friday night. For more information on Declan, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/thumbsupfordec
Throughout the evening there will multiple ways for people to help. Along with ticket sales, proceeds from a raffle and chuck a puck will go towards Declan's fight. A ceremonial puck drop with Declan's siblings will be held before the game. And the local community will show its support with the Waltham High School hockey teams being in attendance and the Boston Junior Eagles skating during the first intermission.
Setting the Stage
Bentley goes into the weekend with a 6-8 Atlantic Hockey record. That has them in 7th place with 19 points. Sacred Heart is atop the standings with a 9-4 AHA record for 28 points.
The Atlantic Hockey playoff format has the top-five teams earn a bye to the quarterfinals. The teams in 6th-11th place will play a first round, single elimination game on Saturday, March 2. The three teams that advance will join the other five teams in the quarterfinals for a best of three series from March 8-10.
Series History
Friday's game will mark the 85th all-time meeting between the Falcons and Pioneers, with SHU holding a 42-36-6 edge.
Friday's game will be SHU's first at Bentley Arena since January of 2022, while Saturday's game will be the Falcons' first at Martire Family Arena which opened in January, 2023.
News & Notes
Defenseman Nick Bochen leads Atlantic Hockey in +/- at +11. That ranks in the top-40 nationally.
Bentley is allowing just 24.2 shots per game, which ranks 5th nationally.
Freshman defenseman Garrett Horsager ranks 8th in Atlantic Hockey in blocked shots with 36.