UMass Boston Men’s Ice Hockey is inviting students, faculty, staff and residents from the Greater Boston communities to fill the Edward T. Barry Ice Rink for a special Military Appreciation Weekend, Nov. 13-14, combining two home hockey games with an opportunity to honor Veterans and support military families. Admission is free for both games. The Beacons will open the weekend on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. against New England College. A special guest will drop the puck at Friday night’s game, Boston Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox. The Beacons will return to the ice Saturday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. to face Plymouth State University. Both games will be played at the Edward T. Barry Ice Rink in the Clark Athletic Center on the UMass Boston campus (100 William T Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA, 02125). Military Appreciation Weekend activities will include Veteran recognition, special guest puck drop, chuck-a-puck, prize giveaways, an opportunity to meet Bobby the Beacon and more. Throughout the two-day event, volunteers from Operation Shower will collect donations to support the nonprofit organization and its work with military families.