INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The UMass Lowell hockey team will face Minnesota State in the NCAA Northeast Regional semifinal on Saturday, March 29 (7:30pm) at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.

The announcement was made Sunday by the Div. I NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Selection Committee.  The River Hawks were seeded second in the region, Minnesota State was placed third.  The contest will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the ESPN River Hawk Radio Network.
 
The two-time Hockey East Tournament Champion River Hawks are one of two Hockey East schools continuing their pursuit of a National Title in Worcester. Boston College was awarded the top seed and will face No. 4 seed Denver in the 4pm game on Saturday. The winners of each game with advance to Sunday, March 30 for the Northeast Regional final at 5pm live on ESPNU. The winner of the Regional final will go on to compete in the Frozen Four on April 10 and 12 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
 
The River Hawks won their second straight Hockey East Tournament title with a 4-0 shutout win over New Hampshire at the TD Garden last night in Boston. UMass Lowell has now qualified for the NCAA tournament in three consecutive seasons under Head Coach Norm Bazin.
 
UMass Lowell owns a 16-8-1 all-time record in the NCAA tournament, which includes a 5-5-1 record in its Division I history.

UMass Lowell holds a 4-3-0 edge in the all time series against the Mavericks including winning two of the three NCAA Tournament meetings between the two schools when each was a Division II power.  UMass Lowell's first of three National Championships came at the expense of Minnesota State, then playing under the moniker of Mankato State.  The Craig MacTavish led Chiefs defeated Minnesota State 6-4 to claim the 1979 title. The teams met again, in the national semifinals, the following two seasons with each claiming a victory. UMass Lowell won the National Championship 1981 after defeating Minnesota State and also won the title in 1982 without seeing the familiar foe. UMass Lowell Coach Norm Bazin made his coaching debut with a weekend sweep of Minnesota State to open the 2011-12 season.

All-session tickets for the NCAA Northeast Regional at the DCU Center can be ordered through the DCU Center Box Office, via Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Please note that tickets purchase through Ticketmaster are subject to a non-refundable convenience and/or handling charge.  Stay tuned to GoRiverHawks.com for more information and ticket availability through the Tsongas Center Box Office for both UMass Lowell fans and students.