Jan. 28, 2012

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Eleventh-ranked UMass Lowell hockey takes aim at a season sweep of in-state rival Massachusetts on Saturday night in the Tsongas Center at 7 p.m. The River Hawks have already clinched the season series with the Minutemen, giving UMass Lowell the tie-breaker over four Hockey East opponents: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Northeastern.

Saturday marks the annual Hockey East Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer event at UMass Lowell. The league-wide initiative has helped raise more than $125,000 in just five years. All proceeds from Saturday's 50/50 raffle will benefit the cause. The game will also feature a puck drop by breast cancer survivor Louise Driscoll of Dracut, MA.

The River Hawks (15-7-0, 10-6-0 HE) picked up a 4-2 victory over the Minutemen on Friday night in the Mullins Center. Sophomore Josh Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, Colo.) scored twice, while classmate Joseph Pendenza (Wilmington, Mass.) and senior David Vallorani (Hamilton, Ont.) also found the net.

The tallies marked Holmstrom's first multi-goal game of his career and give him six total for the season. Holmstrom now has 12 points (6g, 6a) overall this year, surpassing his previous career-high of 11 (0g, 11a) from 2010-11.

Vallorani also played a key role in the win, snapping a four-game scoreless streak with a goal and an assist. The senior is now tied for second on UMass Lowell with nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points. Vallorani ranks fourth among active Hockey East skaters with 105 career points.

For the Minutemen, senior T.J. Syner (Springfield, Mass.) leads the offense with 28 points on 11 goals and 17 assists. He is trailed slightly by sophomore Conor Sheary (Melrose, Mass.) with eight goals and 17 assists for 25 points.

Tickets for tonight are still available through the Tsongas Center Box Office or TsongasCenter.com(.)