Box Score It most assuredly was an unFrozen Fenway, but for those who battled rain drops, less than ideal ice conditions and Northeastern University it was still a special moment.
 
"It was really cool," said senior forward Derek Arnold (Foxboro, Mass.) after UMass Lowell faced Northeastern on the field where the Boston Red Sox won the 2013 World Series Championship. "Not many people get to say that they've seen where the teams operate.  I'm very fortunate to be able to say that."
 
Arnold, one of three Massachusetts natives in a River Hawks uniform, grew up, as many New Englanders did, a Red Sox fan from birth and dreamed of playing baseball at Fenway Park.
 
"I was a big baseball fan," said Arnold.  "I loved playing whiffle-ball with neighbors and friends; always dreamed of hitting a homer over the Green Monster, but just being on the field playing hockey was special enough."
 
Players tried to get the "wow moment" out of the way during practice at the ball yard on the Friday before the game.  Head coach Norm Bazin had told the team to enjoy the moment, take some pictures and soak it all in.  Saturday was about hockey, but there still were some moments where the game could not be separated from the surroundings.
 
"There were times when you're sitting on the bench and you look straight ahead and you see "Fenway Park" (on the façade) and all the World Series banners," said Arnold.  "It was pretty eye opening; a very cool experience."
 
The UMass Lowell team entered the ice coming on to the field from the visitors' dugout on the third base side of the park.  The players reach the dugout after a walk through the darkened bowels of the stadium and then climb a series of stairs into the daylight.  
 
"The thought that came to mind were when ARod and Jeter would come up those stairs and the fans would heckle them," said Arnold.  "I was hoping they wouldn't heckle me as I was coming out (of the dugout.)"
 
When Arnold stepped on the ice, there was one more thought that had gone through his mind that was reflected on his face.  "B Strong" was written on the eye-black patches worn to cut down on the glare from the outdoor ice.  It was something that he had thought of that morning while preparing for the game.
 
"I was, actually, down on Boylston Street when the bomb went off during the marathon," said Arnold.  "I thought it would be a pretty neat tribute.  The (Red Sox) wore (B Strong) patches for the rest of the season and I thought it would be respectful to the ones who had lost body parts or their lives."
 
For Arnold and his teammates and most others who skated on the Fenway ice, the experience brought back a rush of memories, of days gone by and outdoor games with friends and neighbors, games in the wild.
 
"My dad would always make a backyard rink for (the family,)" said Arnold.  "I remember spending long evenings out there way past my bedtime and even some mornings before school, getting a twirl in, and playing on ponds with friends and family as well.  It did bring back some memories."
 
The game did not go as the River Hawks might have hoped.  They worked hard but were beaten by Northeastern, 4-1, but the experience will stay with those who were on the ice behind the pitchers' mound in the home of the baseball World Champions.
 
"It stinks, losing that game," said Arnold.  But at the end of the day, I'm fortunate; it was a special event especially for myself and the New Englanders who grew up watching a loving the Red Sox.  It'll be a good story to tell my kids someday."