PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Senior Dillan Bentley (Peoria, Ill.) scored two goals with an assist, as the UMass Lowell ice hockey team (7-11-0, 3-6-0 Hockey East) outscored No. 14 Minnesota State (11-5-5, 8-3-3 CCHA), 3-1, Friday afternoon at Acrisure Arena to advance to the Cactus Cup Championship Game.

Bentley's three points led the team, while senior TJ Schweighardt (Manahawkin, N.J.) (0g, 2a) and graduate student Jay Ahearn (Staten Island, N.Y.) (1g, 1a) tallied two points apiece. Sophomore Chris Delaney (Hopkinton, Mass.) and freshman Luke Shipley (Powell River, B.C.) added helpers as well to join them in the points department. Senior Samuel Richard (Sainte-Catherine, Quebec) got the nod in net, playing well and making 24 saves for the win.

"It was a great start to the tournament," said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "We knew we were facing a quality opponent and our team was ready. We had contributions from several lines and we were able to get a little bit better each period. We'll get some rest tonight and focus on our next opponent tomorrow."

The team found success in the first period, taking a 1-0 lead to the locker room. Each team picked up eight shots on goal, but it was the River Hawks that capitalized late in the period at 17:55 after battling for puck possession the majority of the first. It was Bentley that fired one home from the high slot, taking a crisp pass from Delaney after Schweighardt found him to pick up the secondary assist.

Both teams hit the back of the net in the second to keep it at a one-goal game after 40 minutes of play. Minnesota State got on the board early at the 1:17 mark, but Bentley responded quickly just a few minutes later at the 4:10 mark with his ninth goal of the season. It all started when he won the faceoff and Ahearn fired a shot off the post that found the stick of Shipley. Shipley then fired a shot that ricocheted to Bentley and he trickled it through the five hole and past the goal line to make it 2-1. The River Hawks won the shots on goal battle 12-6 in the second and the 2-1 lead held going into the third.

In the third, the River Hawks threatened with a plethora of scoring chances on two different power play opportunities within the first 10 minutes and put the pressure on the Minnesota State defensive unit and goaltender. They kept this momentum and were stout on the other end with tight defensive play and crucial saves from Richard to keep the lead. Ahearn secured the victory with nine seconds left, scoring on the empty net with helpers from Schweighart and Bentley, sending the River Hawks to the championship game.

They will take on the winner of St. Cloud State and Yale tomorrow, Saturday, January 3 at 7:00 p.m. to determine the 2026 Cactus Cup Champions.