LOWELL, Mass.  –  UMass Lowell will "Blue Out" the Tsongas Center with a sea of blue T-shirted fans when the two-time defending Hockey East Tournament champion River Hawks host Boston College on Friday, October 10.

"The crowd is going to be more important than ever this year," said UMass Lowell Hockey Head Coach Norm Bazin.  "They are the edge that gets you over in a game.  The kids are proud to represent their university and when they see that type of following they play extra hard."

The Friday night game will be the season opener for the River Hawks' 48th season of varsity hockey.  It's also the first game since Boston College ended the UMass Lowell 2013-14 season in the NCAA Northeast Region final in Worcester.  More importantly, it is the first of a series of early season home games that can have a significant impact on this season.  Eight of UMass Lowell's first 11 games are at home. 

The last regular season meeting between these two teams drew a record crowd to the Tsongas Center as the home team battled from behind to forge a 2-2 tie.  The crowd of 7,649 was the largest to witness a hockey game, professional or collegiate, at the Tsongas Center in its 17 years of operation.  It was the second time a crowd has surpassed the 7,000 plateau in a building with an official seating capacity of 6,003.

UMass Lowell was second among Hockey East teams with an average home attendance of 5,047.  Only Boston College drew more on a per game basis.  The River Hawks ranked 12th in national in average attendance.

"When you have the greatest fans in the country you get that extra man edge that comes from a great fan base and all that support," said Bazin.  "Those crowds really do act as your seventh man and we need those crowds to continue to be good and continue our progress."

The River Hawks will "Blue Out" the building for the home opener.  "United in Blue" t-shirts, courtesy of UMass Lowell Online and Continuing Education, will be placed on all 6,003 seats in the building.  The "Blue Out Night" is the second such promotion.  The first set the previously mentioned record crowd.  The night will also feature the unveiling of the 2014 Hockey East Championship banner which will be raised to its permanent home in the Tsongas Center rafters.

Tickets can be purchased at the Tsongas Center Box Office Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fans can also purchase tickets online at TsongasCenter.com or by calling 866-722-8780. UMass Lowell students receive free admission by scanning their ID as part of the Mission: All In campaign.

The UMass Lowell Athletic Department is also selling season, mini-pack and group tickets at this time. Packages can be purchased online at TsongasCenter.com or by contacting Christine Maurais (christine_maurais@uml.edu; 978-934-2181) or Jocelyn Prieto(jocelyn_prieto@uml.edu; 978-934-5751).