The Northeastern men’s hockey team faces crosstown rival Boston University at Matthews Arena on Thursday night. But before the puck drops, all sights will be set above the ice to the rafters as Northeastern celebrates a chapter of its historic 2017-18 season.

In a pregame ceremony, Northeastern will raise a banner that recognizes Adam Gaudette winning the school’s first-ever Hobey Baker Award, which is given to the nation’s top player in men’s college hockey. Gaudette currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League.

Last season, Adam Gaudette became the first Northeastern player in school history to win the Hobey Baker Award, which recognizes the nation’s top player in men’s college hockey. On Thursday night, Northeastern will raise to the Matthews Arena rafters a banner that commemorates Gaudette’s award. Photos by Matthew Modoono and Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Northeastern’s game against Boston University will air on NESN at 7 p.m. Prior to the game, at 6:30 p.m., NESN will air the first episode of a five-episode series that provides an in-depth look at Northeastern’s athletics department, teams, and student-athletes. The series, which is called Tales of the Howlin’ Huskies, will air throughout the 2018-19 season.

The first 1,000 fans in attendance at the game will receive a puck commemorating Gaudette’s season, in which the former Northeastern forward led the nation in scoring with 60 points (30 goals, 30 assists), was named the Hockey East Player of the Year, and helped the Huskies win their first Beanpot title in 30 years on the way to a bid in the NCAA Tournament.

The Huskies enter Thursday’s game with a 4-2 record, following a victory Friday over UMass Lowell and a 3-2 comeback win on Saturday over St. Cloud State, which is ranked second in the NCAA by the UHCHO.com Division 1 men’s hockey poll.  

On Monday, Northeastern jumped from No. 18 to No. 13 in the UHCHO.com rankings. Goaltender Cayden Primeau earned the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honors, after Northeastern’s netminder turned in a 1.50 goals against average and a .932 save percentage in the two games last weekend.