LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell athletic department has joined forces with Team IMPACT to host several special guests on Friday, January 31st against Merrimack College at 7 p.m. at the Tsongas Center. The two teams will honor nearly a dozen young people who are battling illnesses and have been linked up with River Hawks and the Warriors, respectively.
 
Through the Team IMPACT initiative, the UMass Lowell hockey, men's and women's basketball, softball, baseball and women's soccer teams have all been matched with inspiring young people who have been drafted on to their rosters.
 
In addition, Merrimack has matches with nine of its athletic programs including ice hockey. All matches have been invited to the game with their families and will be recognized on the ice prior to the start of the game.
 
UMass Lowell is raising money throughout the night in memory of Nick DeFelice for the MGH Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Fans looking to purchase tickets for the game can access a discount by contacting Denise DeFelice at desiboo@comcast.net. A portion of all tickets purchased through DeFelice will go to support the cause.
 
In addition, UMass Lowell will be auctioning off a game-used Torey Krug stick autographed by members of the Boston Bruins. Fans can bid on the stick from the silent auction table behind Section 101 during Friday's game at the Tsongas Center.