With four nonconference games and an exhibition game in the rearview mirror, the University of Maine men’s hockey team begins Hockey East play with a two-game set against the University of Connecticut in Hartford starting Friday night.
The Black Bears, picked fifth in the coaches’ preseason poll, look to notch their first Hockey East semifinal berth since the 2011-12 season. That also was the last time UMaine earned an NCAA tournament berth.
Last year’s 10-11-3 mark in league play was the program’s best under head coach Red Gendron since his first season.
UMaine has had an up-and-down start.
After two impressive home wins over St. Lawrence, the Black Bears were thumped 8-2 last Friday by defending NCAA champion Minnesota Duluth.
At one point in the game, Minnesota-Duluth had more goals (7) than UMaine had shots on goal (6). The final shots wound up 46-18.
The Black Bears bounced back with a much better effort Saturday night, dropping a 3-2 decision. They nearly tied the game with the extra attacker on the ice. UMD had a 44-20 edge in shots on goal.
Gendron said the Minnesota Duluth series was valuable.
“They showed us how much work we have to do. It’s not easy to win college hockey games, and that lesson was afforded us once again,” he said.
“Our job as a team is to focus on getting better ourselves,” Gendron added.
He said the team has had a good week of practice.
UConn (2-2) is playing its first home series.
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