ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine women's ice hockey team and head coach Richard Reichenbach have announced the schedule for the upcoming season.
 
The 2021-22 slate is highlighted by a trip to National Champion runners-up Northeastern and games against three NCAA tournament qualifiers from a year ago.
 
In addition to the 27-game Hockey East slate, the Black Bears will play four games against ECAC schools in Quinnipiac and Clarkson, and two against a NEWHA school in Long Island. Four of the team's final six games will take place in front of the Alfond Arena faithful, with 17 regular season home games in total.
 
Following an exhibition date at Alfond Arena on Sept. 18 against a yet to be announced opponent, the Black Bears open the 2021-22 season with a road series at Quinnipiac (Sept. 24-25). The series went 1-0-1 in favor of the Bobcats in the Alfond during the 2019-20 season. Maine opens up the home portion of its regular season with a single game against St. Anselm on Oct. 2. The Black Bears will hit the road again for another away non-conference series. Long Island University will welcome Maine for the first time on Oct. 8-9.
 
The Black Bears will begin Hockey East play at Alfond Arena against both UConn and Northeastern on Oct. 15-16. Maine will then hit the road for six consecutive games against five different opponents. The trip begins at the University of New Hampshire (Oct. 22) before Boston College plays host (Oct. 23). The Black Bears will then travel to Holy Cross (Oct. 29) and finish the swing at Merrimack (Oct. 30). The University of Connecticut welcomes Maine on Nov. 12-13.
 
Maine will then play host within the friendly confines of Alfond Arena for three consecutive weeks, beginning with a league weekend against Boston University (Nov. 19) and Providence College (Nov. 21). Clarkson will make the trek to Orono from Potsdam, N.Y. on Nov. 26-27 before the Black Bears close out 2021 with a Hockey East series against Boston College (Dec. 3-4).
 
Maine will ring in the new year on Jan. 2 with a single road game at Vermont. The Black Bears defeated the Catamounts in the Quarterfinal Round of the Hockey East playoffs last season. Ida Kuoppala scored two goals while Loryn Porter stopped 33 shots. The first home series of 2022 will be against the Holy Cross Crusaders (Jan. 7-8). Since 2018, the Black Bears are 5-2-3 against the Crusaders.
 
Continuing Hockey East play in 2022, Maine will travel to Boston to play the Boston University Terriers on Jan. 14-15. Maine will return to the Alfond accompanied by the Merrimack College Warriors. The squads will play two games on Jan. 21 and 22. The month of January finishes with a road series at Providence College (Jan. 28-29).
 
Maine welcomes Vermont to the Alfond (Feb. 4-5) after the two played a single game in Vermont earlier in the season. The final road contest of the regular season will take place at Northeastern on Feb. 11-12. The next chapter of the 'Border Battle' will close out the 2021-22 season when Maine hosts two games against New Hampshire (Feb. 18-19).
 
Fans will be allowed to attend games in the Alfond Arena.
 
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-