ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine men's ice hockey team and newly appointed head coach Ben Barr announced the schedule for the upcoming season on Monday, June 28.
 
The 2021-22 slate is highlighted by a trip to National Champion and former home of Barr, UMass, a return to the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, and games against four NCAA tournament qualifiers from a year ago.
 
In addition to the 24-game Hockey East slate, the Black Bears will play two games against an ECAC Hockey school in Union, two against a NCHC school in Nebraska-Omaha, two against at home against Alaska Fairbanks, two with Penn State of the Big Ten, and two against an AHC school in Sacred Heart. Four of the team's final six games will take place in front of the Alfond faithful, with 18 regular season home games in total.
 
Following an exhibition date at the Alfond Arena on Oct. 3 against the University of Prince Edward Island, the Black Bears open the 2021-22 season with a road series at the University of Nebraska Omaha (Oct. 8-9). The two split a series between Alfond Arena and the Cross Insurance Arena during the 2019-20 season. Maine opens the home portion of its regular season with a pair of games against Sacred Heart on Oct. 22-23. The Pioneers and Black Bears last met during the 2003-04 season, when the squads met for a single game during the middle of the season. Maine won the non-conference match-up, 6-0.
 
The Black Bears will begin Hockey East play at Northeastern on Oct. 29-30. Then ranked No. 12 in the nation, the Huskies made the trip from Boston to Orono for a single game on February 7, 2020. The Jeremy Swayman led Black Bears defeated Northeastern, 4-2.
 
Maine will then play host within the friendly confines of Alfond Arena for two consecutive weeks, beginning with a league series against UConn (Nov. 5-6). The Black Bears and Huskies were set to battle in the quarterfinal round of the 2019-20 Hockey East tournament, but the game was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Merrimack College and Maine will play two games in the Alfond on Nov. 12 and 13. Last season's series was cancelled.
 
The Black Bears continue conference play on the road at Boston College (Nov. 19-20). Victor Ostman saved 56 shots in last season's Saturday night contest at Conte Forum. For his efforts, Ostman was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week. Before returning to Orono for a home game, Maine will host UMass Lowell in the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on November 27. The Black Bears scored eight goals against the River Hawks last season. It will be Maine's first trip to Portland since Jan. 4, 2020.
 
A two-game set against Vermont on Dec. 3-4 will mark Maine's final Hockey East home games of 2021. Last season's series saw each team win a game in Burlington. The Black Bears will then host Union College on December 10-11. Maine holds a 7-5-1 record against the Dutchmen since the squads first squared off in 1978.
 
Maine will ring in the new year with a road series at Penn State on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The two schools have not met on the ice. The first home series of 2022 will be against the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks (Jan. 7-8). Since 1986, the Black Bears are 7-3 against the Nanooks.
 
Returning to Hockey East play in 2022, Maine will travel to Lowell to play the River Hawks for the second time, Jan. 14-15. Maine will return to the Alfond, accompanied by Boston College, for a single game on Jan. 28.
 
On the next road trip, the Black Bears will play two road games at two different schools. On Feb. 4, Maine will take on Boston University in Agganis Arena, while on Feb. 5, Merrimack will play host in Lawler Rink. Head coach Ben Barr will make his return to UMass when the Black Bears play the defending National Champion Minutemen on Feb. 11-12.
 
After playing four consecutive road games, Maine returns to the Alfond on Feb. 18-19 to renew the Border Battle. The Black Bears have won three of the last four games against New Hampshire, including two in the Alfond during the 2019-20 season.
 
The final regular season road games will take place at Providence College (Feb. 25-26). Maine wraps-up it's 2021-22 regular season with a home series against Boston University (March 4-5). The Black Bears went 1-0-1 the last time the Terriers came to town.
 
The Hockey East Tournament will begin on March 9 with a new, single-game format
 
Fans will be allowed to attend games in the Alfond Arena.
 
Tickets will go on sale tomorrow, June 29, at 10:00 a.m. You can purchase your tickets HERE or by phone at 207.581.BEAR.
 
With the new format, UMaine Athletics will no longer be pre-selling Hockey East Playoff tickets to season members. Season members will be able to purchase their seats if the University of Maine is set to host a playoff game, and once seeding is determined. The ticket office will provide more details as playoffs approach.
 
Season members will be treated to future perks, giveaways, and benefits from local sponsors, and a coupon to Bear Necessities for each ticket purchased! Season Members who are unable to attend a game also have the luxury of utilizing the ticket exchange program, which allows fans to trade in their unused tickets for additional tickets to future games.
 
To view the entire schedule, click HERE.
 
The University of Maine is cautiously optimistic that fans will be welcomed back inside Alfond Stadium on game day. UMaine Athletics will take all precautions to ensure a healthy and safe experience for fans attending UMaine athletic events. UMaine Athletics will continue to follow all government regulations and campus guidelines as they pertain to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seat locations, attendance capacities, and tailgating rules and regulations are all subject to change. If for any reason a game is canceled, or limited attendance is required this fall, full refunds and other flexible ticket options for the canceled games will be available.
 
The University consistently seeks to take steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections (or any other spread of disease) in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and guidance provided by health authorities. These efforts may include policies and safeguards implemented by the University such as symptom checks, social distancing, use of facial coverings, and isolating and quarantining when required. Despite these efforts, the University cannot categorically guarantee that any person entering University campuses or facilities will not contract COVID-19 or any other communicable disease and any such person must assess and accept the risks of illness or injury for themselves.
 
-UMaine-