ORONO, Maine — For Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” there was no place like home.
The University of Maine men’s hockey team hopes its recent success at Alfond Arena can put it on the yellow brick road to a productive second half of the season after a forgettable first half.
UMaine (4-11-4) will try to snap a four-game winless streak (0-3-1) this weekend when it hosts 5-13-1 Colgate University of the ECAC for a two-game series. Colgate has lost three in a row and is 1-8-1 in its last 10.
One of the few bright spots for UMaine has been its 4-1-1 home record, which includes a five-game undefeated skein (4-0-1).
The Colgate series kicks off a six-game home stretch for the Black Bears, who return to Hockey East play for games Jan. 15-16 against Connecticut before their final nonconference game, against No. 2 Quinnipiac, on Jan. 19. A Jan. 22 league game against Boston University caps the homestand.
Junior center Cam Brown said the Black Bears need to capitalize on the home crowd this weekend.
“We need to build off every little play. When somebody blocks a shot or makes something happen, you hear the crowd and our bench gets up more,” said Brown.
“It is definitely a lot easier to play at home. You can use the momentum the crowd brings,” said junior center Brian Morgan.
Fifth-year senior right wing Andrew Tegeler has been a pleasant surprise for UMaine. The University of Massachusetts transfer entered the season with just one goal and one assist in 12 career games.
Tegeler was plagued by inconsistency a year ago, logging an assist while playing in only six games.
But the native of Sewell, New Jersey, has earned a regular shift over the last eight games and is tied for fifth in scoring with six points (goal, five assists) in 13 games.
“I’m just keeping things simple and working hard,” said Tegeler, who has a goal and three assists in his last six games. “I’m doing the little things and paying attention to details.
“You have to play the type of game [coach Red Gendron] wants you to play,” continued Tegeler. “If he throws you on a top line, you have to produce. If you’re on a grinder line, you have to be reliable.”
Tegeler knew that despite his up-and-down play last season, Gendron would give him a chance to establish himself this year.
“He tells you in the spring meeting that everybody starts the new year off with a clean slate. Anybody can earn a spot,” said Tegeler.
“He has been playing great, and it’s great to see that from a fifth-year guy,” said Morgan. “He supplies a lot of leadership and experience as well as a lot of energy.”
“He has worked so hard. Everybody loves him,” said Brown. “He deserves everything he has gotten.”