Trio of Black Bears Named Semi-Finalists For Walter Brown Award

ORONO, Maine -- University of Maine men's ice hockey seniors Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) along with junior Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) were named semi-finalists for the 2012 Walter Brown Award. There were 21 semi-finalists named to the Walter Brown Award, which is presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England.

Maine and Boston College and the lone schools with three semi-finalists. The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston will announce the finalists and the winner of the 60th Walter Brown Award in March.

Flynn ranks second on the team in scoring with 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points. He has played in an impressive 141 consecutive games for the Black Bears and has 65 goals and 83 assists for 148 career points. He is two points shy of becoming the 14th player in Maine history to amass 150 career points.

Flynn has been named Athletic Republic Hockey East Player of the Week this season and also a Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winner. He ranks sixth in the nation in points with 40 and sixth in points per game, averaging 1.38 per contest.

O'Neill has a goal and 24 assists on the season. He has played in 130 career games and is seven points shy of the 100-point plateau. O'Neill ranks seventh in the nation in points per game by a defenseman, averaging 0.86 per game.

Diamond has a team-high 18 goals and 13 assists for 31 points on the season. He was named Athletic Republic Hockey East Player of the Week on Jan. 9 and also earned Athletic Republic Hockey East Player of the Month honors for January.

Diamond is fifth in the nation in goals per game, averaging 0.69 per contest. He ranks tied for eighth in the nation in power play goals with eight.

Maine, 17-9-3 on the season and 12-8-2 in Hockey East play, is ranked 11th in the nation in each of the two national polls released each Monday. The Black Bears are eighth in the latest pairwise rankings.

Maine returns home to host UMass this weekend. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM on Fri., Feb. 17 and Sat., Feb. 18.


--University of Maine Athletic Department

Black Bears Complete Sweep of BU with 3-1 Win

Boston, Mass. -- The University of Maine men's ice hockey team completed the weekend sweep of second-ranked Boston University on Saturday night with a 3-1 win. Nick Pryor (Woodbury, Minn.) netted his first collegiate goal in the second period and it proved to be the game-winner. Maine improves to 14-8-3 on the season with the win and 11-7-2 in Hockey East play. Boston University falls to 15-8-1, 12-6-1 in conference play. Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) made a career-high 38 save in the game.

The Black Bears have now swept #3 Boston College and #2 Boston University on back-to-back weekends.

Maine dominated play in the first period, but was unable to solve BU goalie Kieran Millan until just seven seconds remained in the frame. Mark Nemec (Rouses Point, N.Y.) had a shot that Jon Swavely (Reading, Pa.) was able to tip to John Parker (Green Point, N.J.). Parker fired the puck past Millan for his third goal of the season. Maine finished with a 21-8 edge in shots in the first period.

Boston University tied the game at 1-1 just 2:41 into the second period when Garrett Noonan tipped a Adam Clendening shot past Maine goalie Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) on the power play. It was the ninth goal of the season for Noonan. Alex Chiasson also assisted on the goal for BU.

Maine took the lead at 6:00 of the second period when Pryor scored his first collegiate goal. Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) won a face-off back in the slot. Pryor then took a few strides and blasted a slap shot that deflected off the post and into the back of the net.

The game remained tied until the Black Bears added an empty-net goal at 19:55. Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) dug the puck out of traffic and found Matt Mangene (Miller Place, N.Y.) in the neutral zone. He fired the puck into the empty net for his ninth goal of the season, giving Maine the 3-1 win.

Boston University outshot Maine 39-37 in the game. The Black Bears finished the game 1-for-8 on the power play, while BU was 1-for-5.

Maine goalie Dan Sullivan was outstanding, stopping 38 of the 39 shots that he faced in the game. He made 18 saves in the second period and all 12 in the third. He improves to 13-5-3 on the season. Kieran Millan made 34 saves for BU. He falls to 13-8-1.

The Black Bears return to action on Friday, Feb. 3 when they host Alabama-Huntsville.


--University of Maine Athletic Department

Black Bears Double Up #2 BU, 4-2

Boston, Mass. -- Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) and Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine) each had a goal and an assist as the University of Maine men's ice hockey team knocked off second-ranked Boston University on Friday night in front of over 5,066 fans at Agganis Arena. The Black Bears improves to 13-8-3 on the season with the win and 10-7-2 in Hockey East play. BU, who had not lost since falling to Notre Dame on Dec. 31, falls to 15-7-1 overall, 12-5-1 in conference play.

BU took a 1-0 lead with a power play goal at 17:56 of the opening frame. Chris Connolly and Wade Megan teamed up to find Alex Chiasson in the right face-off circle. He skated a stride and then fired a shot past Maine goalie Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.), giving BU the 1-0 lead.

Maine tied the game at 5:15 of the second period with a power play goal of their own. Mark Anthoine got the puck to Adam Shemansky (Robbinsville, N.J.) in the slot. Nearing the end of the power play, Shemansky had his shot on goal that beat BU goalie Kieran Millan.

Maine goalie Sullivan then robbed BU's Adam Clendening who had a clean breakaway to keep the game tied 1-1.

Maine took a 2-1 lead when Mark Nemec (Rouses Point, N.Y.) threaded a perfect pass to John Parker (Green Brook, N.J.) in transition. Parker fired a shot that went past Millan and into the back of the net. For Parker, it was his second goal of the season. Ryan Hegarty (Arlington, Mass.) also assisted on the goal for the Black Bears. As soon as Parker scored, the lights above the ice went off and the game was delayed for approximately 20 minute delay.

BU tied the game at 2-2 when Ross Gaudet collected the puck on the goal line and banked the puck off Sullivan and into the back of the net.

Maine took a 3-2 lead at 10:08 of the third period when Spencer Abbott got a pass from Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) from the bottom of the circle. Abbott skated a few strides towards the blueline and fired a shot that Mark Anthoine tipped past BU goalie Kieran Millan. For Anthoine, it was his ninth goal of the season and eighth on the power play.

BU pulled their goalie with just under 2:00 left in regulation. A BU defender shot the puck from the point and Abbott blocked it. He then collected the puck, skated down the ice and fired the puck into the empty-net, giving Maine the 4-2 lead.

BU outshot Maine 30-25 in the game. The Black Bears finished 2-for-4 on the power play, while BU scored on its lone power play opportunity.

Maine goalie Dan Sullivan was outstanding, making 28 saves in goal. He made several brilliant stops for the Black Bears. He improves to 12-5-3 on the season. Kieran Millan made 21 saves in goal for the Terriers. He falls to 13-7-1.

The two teams will finish their two-game weekend series on Saturday, Jan. 28. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM from Agganis Arena. The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.


--University of Maine Athletic Department

Black Bears Knock Off #3 Eagles

ORONO, Maine -- Matt Mangene (Miller Place, N.Y.) scored 3:42 into overtime as the University of Maine men's ice hockey team defeated #3 Boston College 4-3 on Friday night at Alfond Arena. He received a pass from Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine) and had his shot find the right corner of the goal, giving Maine the win. Adam Shemansky (Robbinsville, N.J.) had a pair of goals for the Black Bears in the win. Maine improves to 11-8-3 on the season and 8-7-2 in Hockey East play. Boston College falls to 14-9-1 overall, 10-6-1.



Boston College opened the scoring at 3:20 of the first period when Bill Arnold scored his 12th goal of the season on the power play from Kevin Hayes and former Biddeford star Brian Dumoulin.



Maine knotted the score at 1-1 when Ryan Hegarty (Arlington, Mass.) and Kyle Beattie (Avondale, Ariz.) teamed up to find Shemansky. He had his shot from the wall beat Boston College goalie Chris Venti at 8:52 of the first period. For Shemansky, it was his seventh goal of the season.



Maine took its first lead of the game when Beattie eluded his defender in neutral ice, skated in on a two-on-one and fired a wrist shot past Venti just 2:19 into the second period. For Beattie, it was his third goal of the season. John Parker (Green Brook, N.J.) and Nick Pryor (Woodbury, Minn.) each assisted on the goal.



Boston College tied the game at 2-2 when Dumoulin faked a shot before finding Barry Almeida alone in the slot. Almeida beat Maine goalie Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) for his 11th goal of the season at 15:48 of the second period. Pat Mullane also picked up an assist on the goal.



Dumoulin then scored his fourth goal of the season when he cleaned up the rebound of a Johnny Gaudreau shot that was left in the crease at 4:03 of the third period.



Maine then tied the game when Shemansky scored his second of the night when the Black Bears were skating with a five-on-three advantage. Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) had a shot that found Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) on the left post. He deflected the puck to Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) and then to Shemansky who swiped it into the back of the goal at 14:49 of the third.



Neither team was able to break the deadlock the remainder of regulation. In overtime, Mark Nemec (Rouses Point, N.Y.) deflected the puck to Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine) in neutral ice. Anthoine then left a drop pass for Mangene who fired a shot into the upper right corner of the goal, giving the Black Bears the victory. For Mangene, it was his fifth goal of the season.



Maine goalie Dan Sullivan was outstanding, making 33 saves in goal. He improves to 10-5-3 on the season. Chris Venti made 29 saves for the Eagles. He falls to 1-1-0.



Maine is 3-0-3 in overtime this season. Boston College finished the game with a 36-33 edge in shots. The Black Bears were 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Eagles finished the game 2-for-4.



Maine and Boston College finish their two-game Hockey East weekend series with a game on Saturday afternoon. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 PM.


--University of Maine Athletic Department

Black Bears Claw Past Catamounts 3-1

ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine men's ice hockey team, which has now won six of its last seven games, defeated Vermont 3-1 on Wednesday night at Alfond Arena. Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) and Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) each led the Black Bears offense with a goal and an assist. Maine improves to 9-7-2 on the season with the win and 6-6-1 in Hockey East play. Vermont falls to 4-14-1 on the campaign, 1-10-1 in conference play.



Vermont jumped out to a 1-0 lead 14:36 into the first period when Drew MacKenzie shot a puck through the crease. Sebastian Stalberg was able to get a stick on the puck and beat Maine goalie Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.). Kyle Reynolds also assisted on power play goal which gave Vermont the 1-0 lead.



Maine tied the game with a power play goal of its own. Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) had the puck just inside the blueline. He found reigning Hockey East Player of the Week and Month Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) who held the puck before finding Adam Shemansky (Robbinsville, N.J.) on the left post. Shemansky tipped the puck past Vermont goalie Rob Madore to tie the game at 1-1. For Shemansky, it was his sixth goal of the season.



Maine took a 2-1 lead at 13:25 of the second period with its second power play goal of the game. Brian Flynn got the puck to Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine), who shot it at the goal. Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) battled for the puck in the crease and beat Madore for his team-leading 12th goal of the season.



Maine iced the game at 18:44 with an empty net goal. Diamond was able to gain control of the puck from a Catamount defender. He passed to Flynn who fired the puck into the empty net. For Flynn, it was his 10th goal of the season.



Maine outshot Vermont 43-26 in the game. The Black Bears were 2-for-8 on the power play, while Vermont finished 1-for-6.



Maine goalie Dan Sullivan made 25 saves in goal, including stopping two breakaways. He improves to 8-4-2 on the season. Rob Madore stopped 40 shots for the Catamounts. He falls to 3-11-1 on the season.



Maine returns to action on Saturday, Jan., 7 when it faces arch rival New Hampshire in a historic game at 2012 Sun Life Frozen Fenway.


--Information Courtesy of University of Maine Athletic Department

Black Bears Clobber Clarkson 6-1

ESTERO, Fla. -- Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) each had a goal and two assists to lead the University of Maine men's ice hockey team to a 6-1 victory over Clarkson in the first game of the Florida College Classic on Thursday afternoon in Estero, Fla. Maine will face the winner of the Cornell vs. UMass game in the Championship game on Friday night at 7:30 PM.



Maine struck first when Flynn scored his seven goal of the season at 8:25 of the first period when he received a pass from Abbott and shot the puck past Clarkson goalie Cody Rosen on the left goal post. Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) also assisted on the goal. Ryan Hegarty (Arlington, Mass.) extended Maine's lead to when his shot from the blueline found the upper corner of the net. Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) and Flynn both assisted on the goal.



Maine made it 3-0 at 18:47 when Hegarty got the puck to Flynn. He passed to Abbott who shot from the top of the circle, beating Rosen for his 11th goal of the season at 18:47. The Black Bears took the 3-0 lead into the first intermission.



The Black Bears made it 4-0 at 7:30 of the second period with a goal in transition. Brice O'Connor (Londonderry, N.H.), who now has points in four straight games, began the play when he gained control of the puck in the defensive zone. He found Kyle Beattie (Avondale, Ariz.) who skated the puck up the ice. Adam Shemansky (Robbinsville, N.J.) finished the play with his fifth goal of the season.



Maine tallied a shorthanded goal at 10:09 when Mike Cornell (Franklin, Mass.) found Matt Mangene (Miller Place, N.Y.) who skated the puck up the ice. Mangene had a shot that Richie LeVeau saved, but the rebound when to Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine) who fired the puck into the back of the net.



Maine took a 5-0 lead into the second intermission. The second period was marred with 26 penalties for 84 minutes.



Diamond added a power play goal at 3:18 of the third period as the Black Bears extended their lead to 6-0. O'Neill began the play and found Shemansky. He then passed to Diamond just outside the crease. Diamond capitalized with his 10th goal of the season.



Clarkson got on the board at 9:36 when Louke Oakley tipped a Alex Boak shot past Maine goalie Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) to break up his shutout bid. Joe Zarbo also assisted on the goal.



Maine outshot Clarkson 36-19 in the game. The Black Bears finished 2-for-7 on the power play, while Clarkson was scoreless in seven chances.



Maine goalie Sullivan was impressive, stopped 18 of the 19 shots that he faced. He improves to 6-4-2 on the season. Cody Rosen made 15 saves in 27:30. He falls to 0-1-0 on the season. Richie LeVeau made 15 saves in 32:32.



Maine returns to action on Friday, Dec. 30 when it plays for the Florida College Classic title. Puck drop will be at 7:30 PM against either UMass or Cornell.

--Information Courtesy of the University of Maine Athletic Department

Will O'Neill named Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week

University of Maine junior defenseman Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) was named the Pure Hockey Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. O'Neill helped the Black Bears split a pair of games in the 2010 Florida College Classic.

O'Neill returned to the lineup on Dec. 29 against #6 Miami after missing eight games with an injury. He dished out an assist on Maine's lone goal in a 4-1 loss to the RedHawks. He followed that up by recording a pair of assists in Maine's 3-2 win in overtime against Cornell the following night.

For his efforts, O'Neill was named to the 2010 Florida College Classic All-Tournament Team.

O'Neill has seen action in 10 games for the Black Bears this season. He has one goal and seven assists for eight points.

O'Neill and the Black Bears return to action on Saturday, Jan. 8 when they travel to Merrimack for a Hockey East game with the Warriors. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 PM.

- University of Maine - 

Maine takes care of a chippy U-18 Team at the CX4

GUSTAV NYQUIST HAD 3 ASSISTS IN PORTLAND SUNDAY

The University of Maine men's ice hockey team skated to a 5-1 win over the U.S. Under-18 Team on Sunday afternoon in a game played at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) had three assists in the game, while Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Josh Van Dyk (Woodstock, Ontario) each chipped in with a goal and an assist.

Team USA took a 1-0 lead when Reid Boucher tipped a Robbie Russo shot past Maine goalie Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec) at 14:00 of the first period. Jake McCabe also assisted on the goal. Maine tied the game up just a minute later when Mike Cornell (Franklin, Mass.) fired a shot from the left face-off circle past US Under-18 Team goalie Matt McNeely. Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) each assisted on the goal.

Maine took the lead with just 11 seconds remaining in the first period when Flynn stuffed the puck past McNeely just inside the right post. Adam Shemansky (Robbinsville, N.J.) and Van Dyk assisted on the play.

Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) extended Maine's lead to 3-1 just 50 seconds into the third period on a goal set up by Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) and Nyquist.

VanDyk got on the scoreboard when he received a pass from Nyquist and fired a shot past McNeely from the slot at 7:33 of the third period. Robby Dee (Plymouth, Minn.) also picked up an assist on the play.

Maine capped the scoring at 18:08 when Jon Swavely (Reading, Pa.) scored from the right face-off circle. Mike Banwell (Scarborough, Ontario) and Brice O'Connor (Londonderry, N.H.) each assisted on the tally by Swavely.

Maine finished the game with a 39-23 advantage in shots on goal. The black Bears were 3-for-9 on the power play, while the U.S. Under-18 Team finished the game 1-for-5.

Maine goalie Ouellette made 22 saves in goal. Matt McNeely made 34 saves for the U.S. Under-18 Team.

The Black Bears return to action on Saturday, Jan. 8 when they travel to Merrimack for a Hockey East Conference game with the Warriors. Puck drops is scheduled for 4 PM.

Spencer Abbott named Hockey East Player of the Month

Spencer Abbott (Photo Jeff Schools)

University of Maine men's ice hockey forward Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) was named the Athletic Republic Hockey East Player of the Month for October. The junior scored six goals and dished out seven assists for 13 points.

Abbott leads Hockey East in scoring and ranks tied for fourth in the nation.

Abbott began the season with a goal and an assist in Maine's 8-2 win over UMass Lowell. He finished the game an impressive +4. He followed that up by netting a goal in Maine's game against UConn.

Abbott tallied a pair of assists in Maine's 4-4 draw at Michigan State. The following night he scored two goals in a school-record 10 second span. He has a pair of assists in Maine's 7-3 victory over then second-ranked North Dakota on Oct. 22 and followed that up by scoring a goal and adding an assist the next night againt the Fighting Sioux.

Abbott had a goal and an assist in Maine's 3-2 victory over Vermont on Oct. 3. He notched the game-winning goal on a breakaway in overtime against the Catamounts to give the Black Bears the win.

Abbott has tallied at least one point in all seven games this season. Dating back to last season, he is in the midst of a nine-game scoring streak. He has two points in six of Maine's seven games this season.

Abbott and the Black Bears, ranked seventh in both national polls released on Monday, Nov. 1, travel to third-ranked Boston University for a single game on Saturday, Nov. 6. Maine enters the game with a record of 4-1-2, 2-0-0 in Hockey East play, while Boston University is 6-0-1, 4-0-1 in conference play. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM.

Maine Black Bears Brian Flynn named PTP Player of the Week.

The University of Maine had a great weekend against North Dakota and was helped along by this weeks winner of Player of the Week, Bryan Flynn. Flynn played great 2 way hockey all weekend long. Congrats to Bryan.

# 2 Star - Dan Sullivan - University of Maine - Freshman Goaltender Dan Sullivan proved he is up to the task against the top players in the country. His 23 saves, including at least 5 game savers, helped the Black Bears to win #2 over North Dakota.

#3 Star - Etienne Broudeur - Lewiston MAINEiacs - With offense at a premium this week for the MAINEiacs, Etienne netted 3 goals for the team.

Black Bears maul #2 North Dakota in series opener

BRYAN FLYNN NETS ONE OF HIS 2 GOALS (PHOTO BANGOR DAILY NEWS/MICHAEL C YORK)

Alfond Arena sounded more like it was hosting a brass concert than a hockey game with all of the horns that sounded off during this out of conference contest.

The Black Bears came ready to defend their turf against the then undefeated Fighting Sioux.  Maine struck early and often as they ousted North Dakota 7-3.  Gustav Nyquist scored his first goal of the season and had two assists, while Brian Flynn notched two power play goals.  Sophomore Shawn Sirman also picked up his second victory on the year.

Senior forward Robby Dee netted a goal just 43 seconds into the game to give Maine the early lead.  This was just a foreshadowing of things to come, as just over two minutes later, Flynn punched the net with Maine’s second goal.  The offensive onslaught would not let up, as once again Flynn would score a power play goal. Flynn’s strike was then followed by a goal by both Will O’Neal and Nyquist, all happening in the first period.  The five goals would be enough to oust the Sioux, but the Black Bears would push two more across in the second, off the sticks of Kyle Beattie and captain Tanner House.

After Maine’s second game with seven or more goals this season, they now boast the top four point scorers in the conference, while Spencer Abbott leads in points (9) and is tied for first in goals (4).

Sirman picked up the win saving 19 of 22 shots.  North Dakota would however score three by way of Derek Rodwell (1st), Matt Frattin (2nd), and Brad Malone (3rd).

The Sioux looked unready for the Alfond faithful and the rested Black Bears, but they should be well adjusted for the second game tonight.  The Mainiacs were rowdy all night as North Dakota had to change net minders after nine plus minutes when Brad Eidness had given up three goals on five shots.  Chants of ‘this is our house’, rang throughout the 33 year old building as Maine looked more like the second best team in NCAA than the Sioux.

This victory for Maine will bring up a very exciting game two in the series, as North Dakota will be hungry for a win a salvage their 1,500 mile trip to Orono.  One thing is for sure though, Maine looks ready to put up some big numbers at home this season.  With that in mind, be sure you make the trip up to watch them whenever you can.

Bryan Stackpole is the sports director and a play-by-play announcer  for WMEB 91.9 FM, Orono, ME.  He is the voice of UMaine football, basketball, and baseball.  You can listen to game two of the Maine vs. North Dakota series, live on 91.9 FM and streaming at www.wmeb.fm.  WMEB is your only commercial free home of UMaine hockey and sports all season long.

Maine - North Dakota Preview

1st of all, Maine Sports Network would like to welcome aboard members of WMEB Sports Staff, who will be contributing coverage of the University of Maine sports teams from Orono. When we can't be there, they will be. Welcome aboard guys and glad to have you!

MAINE - NORTH DAKOTA PREVIEW

Upon the goal horn sounding to announce the end of the 2009-10 season at the TD Garden last March, optimistic UMaine fans looked to this weekend’s series as the marquee match-up for the Black Bears this season.  

This Friday signifies a hockey revival in Orono that had been absent in the last few years.  Fans are back to filling the Alfond instead of leaving it a cavernous arena, like it was in 2008 when the Black Bears failed to make the Hockey East playoffs, only the second time in the program’s history.  Though after a magical run that left Maine within an overtime goal of winning the Hockey East playoffs, and earning a bid to the NCAA tournament, Maine is again proud of its hockey program.

The pucks drops at 7:30 p.m. this Friday as the second ranked team in the nation, the North Dakota (NoDak) Fighting Sioux, take on the slow out of the gate Black Bears.  This two game series represents a chance to impress the polls and position Maine for a NCAA playoff berth, regardless of the outcome of the Hockey Playoffs come March.  At the beginning of the season, this series was deemed one that Maine should split, but this sentiment has slowly evolved into a series Maine must split.  

After putting up eight goals against the hapless River Hawks from UMass-Lowell, Maine tied Atlantic Hockey Association cellar dweller UConn the next night.  Then a tough trip to Michigan State to take on the Spartans left the Black Bears with only one point from the series and a 1-1-2 record overall.

Goaltending has been the main point of emphasis for Maine this off season as they brought in two highly regarded net minders in Martin Ouellette and Dan Sullivan, but neither have impressed as a back-up to starter Sophomore Shawn Sirman.  Who emerges as the man between the pipes that will lead Maine to victory is still up to debate, but the clock is slowly dwindling.

Another troubling aspect for Maine is the fact that Hobey Hat Trick finalist Gustav Nyquist still has a goose egg in the goal column.  Nyquist is still producing for the Black Bears with a conference high five assists, but still that clutch goal that could give Maine the victory late still alludes him.

Orono is worried, but there still isn’t that feeling the sky is falling….at least yet.  Maine does have one of the most prolific offenses in the NCAA and is led by Spencer Abbott who leads Hockey East in goals (4) and points (7).

NoDak exemplifies what college hockey is all about.  They field a consistently good team every year and have won a total of seven national championships in their history.  There also must be something in the water in the Dakotas as 16 players are six feet or taller.  The Sioux (3-0-1) are already seem in mid-season form as they travel across the country to the Pine Tree State.

This series is the last out of conference game for Maine until the Florida College Classic against Miami in the end of December.  The Black Bears need to take at least one of these games to stay in the national polls and keep the northeast buzzing.  Will the Alfond mystique be enough to propel Maine to victory, or is NoDak just at another level?  Sunday will bring answers, but if you want to watch the best in college hockey, make the trip to Orono this weekend.  Hey, even if they get swept, you can get a free t-shirt at the Saturday game as part of the team’s White Out promotion. Can’t go wrong with a free shirt.

Bryan Stackpole is the sports director and a broadcaster for WMEB 91.9 FM, Orono, ME.  He is the play-by-play voice for UMaine football, basketball, and baseball.  WMEB will be broadcasting the NoDak vs. Maine hockey games on 91.9 FM and streaming live on www.wmeb.fm starting at 7:15 p.m. on Friday and 6:45 p.m. Saturday.  The broadcast will be the only commercial free coverage of game.
 

Black Bears beat up on Acadia 5 - 1 in pre-season action.

The University of Maine Men's Hockey team opened their season with a decisive 5 - 1 victory over the Acadia Axemen.

Acadia played a very physical game leading to numerous 10 minute misconducts on both sides.

Maine responded by playing their offensive game to the tune of 5 goals. Maine got goals from Will ONeill, Bryan Flynn, Gustav Nyquist, Kellen Corkum and  Kyle Beattie.

Maine opens the regular season next Friday night as the Black Bears take on UMass Lowell at the Alfond!

GAME HIGHLIGHTS COURTESY LEARFIELD BLACK BEARS RADIO NETWORK

Maine Black Bears Media Day in Orono Presented by Law Offices of Gary M Prolman

MAINE'S TOP GUNS (L-R) GUSTAV NYQUIST, TANNER HOUSE AND BRIAN FLYNN
PHOTO BY JEFF SCHOOLS PRESENTED BY LAW OFFICES OF GARY PROLMAN

Today marked Media Day for the 2010-2011 Maine Black Bears Hockey team. A ton of anticipation surrounds this team as Maine ranks 2nd in both Hockey East's Media Poll and Coaches Poll. Take a look at some photos and audio from the team.

PHOTO GALLERY PRESENTED BY MBR.ORG

INTERVIEWS PRESENTED BY LAW OFFICES OF GARY PROLMAN
Gustav Nyquist

Brian Flynn

Tanner House

Joey Diamond

Coach Tim Whitehead

Boston Bruins and HockeyEast Media Day in Boston Presented by The Law Offices of Gary M Prolman

COACH WHITEHEAD ON THE PM JAB 96.3 THE BIG JAB

PRESENTED MY THE LAW OFFICES OF GARY M PROLMAN

University of Maine F Gustav Nyquist and Coach Tim Whitehead

BOSTON BRUINS
Special Thanks to our correspondent for the day, Tim Rosenthal

Maine Voted 2nd in Hockey East Pre-Season Coaches Poll

MEDIA DAY COVERAGE PRESENTED BY THE LAW OFFICES OF GARY PROLMAN

PHOTO BY JEFF SCHOOLS

Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna released the 2010 men's preseason coaches poll on Wednesday afternoon, which was announced at the league's annual media day in the Legends Club at the TD Garden.

The Boston College Eagles, the defending NCAA Champions, are the unanimous pick to win the Hockey East crown in 2011 according to the league's 10 head coaches. The Eagles earned nine first-place votes with a total of 90 points. The Eagles, who won their league record ninth Hockey East Tournament title in March of 2010, have 17 letterwinners returning from that squad, which includes 79% of the team offense. Forwards Cam Atkinson and Brian Gibbons along with starting goaltender John Muse will give the Eagles the neccessary tools to make another run for an NCAA title at the Heights this season. Atkinson led the nation with 30 goals last season, while Gibbons posted a career-high 50 points.

Maine Men's Team voted 2nd in Media Pre Season Poll

The University of Maine Men's Hockey team was voted 2nd in a Pre Season Poll of Hockey East Media and Broadcasters. In addition to the team placemnet, Maine's Gustav Nyquist was the only unanimous player selection to the All Hockey East Team voted on by the same group.

Check it out HERE.

MAINE PLACES 12 ON ALL ACADEMIC LIST #maineicehockey

The University of Maine placed 12 student-athletes on the 2010 All-Academic Team released on Friday, June 11. The 12 student-athletes trailed just UMass, who had 14 named to the squad. In addition, senior Kevin Swallow (Stanwood, Mich.) was named to the Hockey East Association Academic All-Star Team, which honors the top grade point averages by position.

A total of 79 Hockey East student-athletes were named to the 2009-2010 All-Academic Team. Each of the student-athletes honored achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in each of the two academic periods during which he was actively competing.

UMass led the league with 14 student-athletes honored followed by Maine who had 12. UMass Lowell, Merrimack and Providence College each had nine student-athletes honored followed by New Hampshire and Northeastern who each had eight. Boston College (5), Vermont (4) and Boston University (1) rounded out the honorees.

Kevin Swallow achieved a 3.83 GPA in his final year, earning a spot on the Hockey East Academic All-Star team for the first time in his career. Swallow, a transfer from Dartmouth College, was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team for the second time in his career.

Senior Brett Carriere (Ottawa, Ontario) along with juniors Jeff Dimmen (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Tanner House (Cochrane, Alberta) and Josh Van Dyk (Woodstock, Ontario) were all named to the All-Academic Team for the third time in their careers.

Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario), Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden), Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) and Swallow were all honored for the second time in their careers.
Theo Andersson (Gothenburg, Sweden), Mike Cornell (Franklin, Mass.) Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) and Mark Nemec (Rouses Point, N.Y.) were all honored for the first time in their careers.

Nyquist, the lone unanimous selection to the Hockey East First Team this past season, was the only member of the First Team named to the All-Academic Team.

The puck drops on the 2010-2011 regular season on Friday, October 8 when Maine hosts UMass Lowell at 7 PM at Alfond Arena.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

MAINE HEAD COACH TIM WHITEHEAD TALKS EXTENSION AND RECRUITS #BlackBearHockey #blackbearnation

Tim Whitehead was on The PM Jab with Javier Goritti and Jeff Schools talking about his 3 year extension and all the recruits signed so far.