LOWELL, Mass. (Mar. 10, 2008) – UMass Lowell, which garnered the No. 7 seed, will visit No. 2 Boston University in the 2008 Hockey East Quarterfinal beginning Friday (7:30) at BU’s Agganis Arena.

Friday night’s game, the first in a best-of-three series, will be televised by NESN, hence the 7:30 puck drop. The two meet again Saturday night at 7:00, and Sunday (if necessary) at 7:00.

UML supporters can purchase tickets by calling 978-934-2304 or 4988.

In the Terriers (17-15-4 overall, 15-9-3 Hockey East), UML meets a team in its peak as they have won nine of their last 10 games, including three of their last four by shutout. Over the weekend, BU posted consecutive shutouts over Providence, 6-0 and 2-0.

“There is no question (BU is) the hottest team in the country,” said UML Head Coach Blaise MacDonald. “Their season a good illustration of staying in the moment and not looking backwards.

“We’re excited to play them,” MacDonald added. “BU is a team that we’ve had some success with this season. It’s going to be a great experience for our evolving team.”

The River Hawks (15-15-4, 10-13-4) enter the Quarterfinal having suffered a sweep at Maine last weekend, 4-1 and 2-1 in overtime.

“That was a very misleading weekend,” MacDonald noted. “We played two great games with many, many positives. Our work ethic is tremendous. Our enthusiasm and competitive spirit is great. We’ve got a collective group playing very well.”

The River Hawks are 3-7 in their last 10 games, dropping four one-goal losses in that span.

BU won two of three meetings during the regular season. In the first game on Nov. 3 in Boston, the Terriers overcame a 4-2 deficit with five unanswered goals in the third period to prevail 7-4.

UML avenged the loss on Dec. 7 at the Tsongas Arena, overcoming a 2-0 deficit with two goals in the second period and two more in the third for the 4-3 win.

The Terriers, however, won the rubber match on Feb. 8 in Lowell, jumping out to a 5-1 lead after two periods en route to the 6-2 win.

“We have to yield at a high rate on our opportunities and limit turning the puck over,” MacDonald said. “Puck security must be very high. And I think we need to play with a little bit of a carefree attitude.”

BU leads the all-time series against UML 56-16-9. The Terriers, however, have a slight 4-3-3 edge in the last 10 meetings.

Sophomore Kory Falite (Billerica, Mass.) leads UML in scoring with 16 goals, 13 assists (29 points), and is among five River Hawks with 21 or more points. Sophomore Ben Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, Colo.) has compiled 6-19—25 while junior Mark Roboethan (St. John’s Nfld.) has chipped in 13-9—22.

Sophomore goaltenders Carter Hutton (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and Nevin Hamilton (Ashland, Mass.) have each played 17 games. Hutton has maintained a goals against average of 2.38 and a save rate of .909 while Hamilton is close behind with a 2.56 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

Hockey East Tournament Schedule
Friday, Mar. 14
#8 Massachusetts (14-14-6, 9-13-5 HE) at #1 UNH (23-8-3, 19-5-3 HE)	7:00 pm
#7 UMass Lowell (15-15-4, 10-13-4 HE) at #2 Boston University (17-15-4, 15-9-3 HE)	7:30 pm
#6 Northeastern (15-16-3, 12-13-2 HE) at #3 Vermont (14-13-7, 13-9-5 BE)	7:00 pm
#5 Providence (14-15-5, 11-11-5 HE) at #4 Boston College (17-11-8, 11-9-7 NE)	7:00 pm
Saturday, Mar. 15
#8 Massachusetts at #1 New Hampshire	7:00 pm
#7 UMass Lowell at #2 Boston University	7:00 pm
#6 Northeastern at #3 Vermont	7:00 pm
#5 Providence at #4 Boston College	7:00 pm
Sunday, Mar. 16 (if necessary)
#8 Massachusetts at #1 New Hampshire	7:00 pm
#7 UMass Lowell at #2 Boston University	7:30 pm
#6 Northeastern at #3 Vermont	7:00 pm
#5 Providence at #4 Boston College	7:00 pm
Friday, Mar. 21
Semifinals	5:00/8:00
Saturday, Mar. 22
Championship	7:00 pm