The UMass Lowell ice hockey team (12-20-0, 8-14-0 Hockey East) will conclude its regular season with two games this week, first traveling to Merrimack (16-15-2, 9-12-2 Hockey East) on Thursday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m., and then hosting Boston University (16-15-2, 12-11-0 Hockey East) on Saturday, March 7 at 6:05 p.m. For Senior Night.
Scouting the River Hawks
This season, UMass Lowell bolstered its roster of 14 returning players with 15 newcomers, including three transfers and 12 freshmen. The team was tied for seventh in the Hockey East Preseason Poll. Currently, the River Hawks are not receiving votes in the USCHO or USA Hockey Polls. They last played on February 20 and 21 against Northeastern, falling 2-0 in game one and 8-2 in game two, with Lee Parkas leading the team with two points over the weekend.
Dillan Bentley currently leads the team with 22 points (13 goals, 9 assists), while Jak Vaarwerk (6 goals, 12 assists) and Dalyn Wakely (6 goals, 12 assists) are tied for second with 18 points each. Samuel Richard leads the goaltenders with a 2.84 goals against average and a .904 save percentage in 16 appearances, while Austin Elliott holds a 2.96 GAA with a .886 save percentage in 21 appearances.
Scouting the Warriors
Merrimack enters the weekend with a 16-15-2 overall record (9-12-2 Hockey East), having recently gone 1-0-1 against Vermont. The Warriors return four of their top five point-scorers from last season: Seamus Powell, Caden Cranston, Nick Pierre, and Ty Daneault. This season, Parker Lalonde leads the team with 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists), followed by Justin Gill with 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists). Max Lundgren has started all 33 games for Merrimack, boasting a 2.68 GAA and .915 save percentage.
Historical Matchups
The River Hawks have a strong historical record against Merrimack, with an overall mark of 87-46-13. Their last game against Merrimack, on October 10, 2025, resulted in a 4-1 victory for the Warriors. Against Boston University, UMass Lowell has a record of 38-83-12, with the Terriers winning their most recent matchup on January 17, 2026, by a score of 3-0.
Looking Ahead
A win on Thursday would improve the River Hawks’ record to 13-20-0 and their all-time record against Merrimack to 88-46-13. A win against Boston University on Saturday would bring their record against the Terriers to 39-83-12. The River Hawks will then prepare for the Hockey East Tournament, where they could be seeded between eighth and eleventh, with the Opening Round scheduled for Wednesday, March 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UMass Lowell’s current record?
UMass Lowell’s current record is 12-20-0, with an 8-14-0 record in Hockey East play.
Who leads the UMass Lowell River Hawks in scoring?
Dillan Bentley currently leads the River Hawks with 22 points (13 goals, 9 assists).
When do the River Hawks play Boston University?
The River Hawks will host Boston University on Saturday, March 7 at 6:05 p.m. For their regular season finale and Senior Night.
What impact will this weekend’s games have on the River Hawks’ positioning in the Hockey East Tournament?
