The Rivier Univesity men's hockey team raises its sticks in celebration of its first ever practice over two weeks ago. The Raiders open their inaugural season tonight at 7 at Conway Arena while the women's team plays there today at 4 p.m. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA — History on the ice.

That’s what today brings as the Rivier University women’s and men’s hockey teams drop the puck for real, for their first ever games at Conway Arena.

The women take on Castleton University at 4 p.m. while the men will face Southern New Hampshire University at 7.

The plans to begin varsity hockey at Rivier were announced a year ago and now everything is coming to fruition. The school is also planning a Launch Party in the Conway parking lot at 5:30.

There will be ceremonial puck drops prior to each game. The Raider men are coached by Matt Keating, while Chris Czarnota is behind the bench for the women.

According to the Raiders website, masks will be required for spectators.

The Rivier men won a scrimmage 2-1 over Southern Maine on Tuesday on the road. The women, meanwhile, fell to Southern Maine 5-0 last Saturday, also on the road,in a scrimmage.

“It feels awesome to be part of something brand new, and being the first to set the standards for the years to come,” Rivier forward Gabriella DeSouza of Shrewsbury, Mass. said. “It’s a great opportunity, I’m really excited.”

“The first game’s coming up, and I think we’ll have a great turnout,” men’s freshman defenseman Kadyn Fennell of Evansville, Ind. said.