Oct. 15, 2010

Listen to WUML | Live Stats | Live Video

The River Hawk hockey club heads to Niagara for a clash with the Purple Eagles on Friday night at 7 p.m. The contest is the first non-conference game of the 2010-11 campaign. UMass Lowell (0-1-0, 0-1-0 HE) is coming off a season opening loss at Maine.

The River Hawks lead the all-time series with Niagara, 6-1-0, and are 2-0-0 when playing at the Dwyer Arena. No active UMass Lowell players have experience playing the Purple Eagles as the last meeting between the clubs came on Oct. 21, 2006.

In the seven previous clashes, the River Hawks' power play has been especially effective. UMass Lowell has gone 10-for-41 (24.4%) with the man advantage against the Purple Eagles.

Head coach Blaise MacDonald has special ties to Niagara as he was the program's first ever coach. In a span of five seasons with the Purple Eagles (1996-2001), MacDonald founded the program, got them into the CHA and took them to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.

In addition, new assistant coach and former River Hawk defenseman Darryl Green played two career games versus Niagara, registering a pair of assists.

Last time out, the River Hawks fell to the Black Bears in their season opener, 8-2. Maine jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first period before ultimately securing the victory. UMass Lowell's lone scores came from senior Scott Campbell (Navan, Ont.) and junior Michael Budd (Burlington, Ont.).

Following tonight's result, the River Hawks will gear up for their second game of the weekend: a non-conference tilt at RIT scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday.