BLACK BEARS' LAST TIME OUT:

• Maine most recently faced the #1 Wisconsin Badgers on the road. The team fell 5-0 both nights. 
• Goaltender Kiia Lahtinen made 95 saves on 105 shots faced over the weekend as she currently leads the nation in saves with 163.
• Previously, Maine faced #10 Quinnipiac in two close losses, one being in OT.
• Maine received a vote after the Quinnipiac weekend in the USA Hockey Poll. 
• 10 different Black Bears notched at least one point in the Quinnipiac series:
• Kendall Sundby (2a), Mikayla Boarder (1g), Haley Ryan (1g), Gracie Hanson (1g SH), Mackenzie Podewell (1g - first career), Isabelle Michaud (1g - first career), Lila Shea (1a), Lily Fetch (1a), Paige Fong (1a), Raegan Wurm (1a) all notched points.

MAINE BY THE NUMBERS

• Kiia Lahtinen leads the nation in saves with 163.
• Maine is tied for first in the nation with a 100% PK (12-for-12).
• Gracie Hanson leads the nation in shorthanded goals and she scored her first shorthanded goal against Quinnipiac in the opening weekend.
• Maine is third in the nation in blocked shots with 83. Lulu Rucinski leads the team with 10.

MORE ON MAINE:

• Maine played four games against top-10 opponents, including #1 Wisconsin, in their first four games on the road. 
• Maine's home opener versus St Anselm is the first game against a non-ranked opponent.

PREVIOUS MATCHUPS WITH ST. Anselm:

• Maine has only faced St. Anselm twice in history. The record between the teams is 1-1. St. Anselm won in 2021, 3-2, and Maine won in 2022, 6-3.           

SCOUTING THE HAWKS:

• St. Anselm is 2-1-0 so far, after sweeping St Michaels (NEWHA) in their opening weekend by scores of 3-2 and 4-2.
• Last weekend, the Hawks lost to Boston College 4-1.
• Brooklyn Schneiderhan leads the Hawks in goals, assists and points. (3-3-6)
• Goaltender Kayla Czukoski has played all three games in net holding a .935 save percentage and 2.67 GAA. Boston College outshot the Hawks 70 to 19 over the weekend as Czukoski made 66 saves.

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Maine kicks off the season with seven non-conference matchups, six games of which will be against top-10 nationally ranked teams.
• Game 1 and 2 were against #10 Quinnipiac, while games 3 and 4 were at #1 Wisconsin.
• After this weekend, Maine hosts currently ranked #6/8 Colgate for a home series on Oct 17/18.

About the Newly Renovated Alfond Arena

Upgrades to Alfond Arena include a redesigned entrance and concourse, improved concessions and connectivity, ADA enhancements and new seating options for fans.

The enhancements and updates come as part of UMaine's continued efforts to enhance the experience for fans of the state's only Division I program and align with standards across collegiate athletics.

The new plaza outside of Alfond Arena has new lighting to provide fans a safer, more welcoming environment when approaching and entering the rink. The new main entrance to Alfond Arena opens up to a new expanded concourse while an upgraded premium entrance welcomes VIP guests to the arena.

A new concourse entrance, designed in a modern origami style to complement the highly recognizable Alfond Arena profile, will offer visitors a modernized welcome to the historic building. The expanded concourse includes renovated points of sale for tickets and concessions, a new Bear Necessities fan store and a new hockey "Champions Room" to celebrate and preserve the history of Maine Hockey.

UMaine concessions will feature a brand new stand called 'Rafters' which was named by a vote of Black Bear Nation this past summer. Rafters, along with Slapshot Grille, will feature restructured services to reduce wait times and have added new items to the menu, including Italian sausages and French bread pizzas.

ADA updates include the installation of a lift from the concourse to the student section balcony along with a new accessible seating option for students.  Additionally, sight lines have been improved in ADA seating areas rink wide and the serving area in the Renewal by Andersen Lounge will also be ADA accessible.

New in 2025, the university intends to expand its pilot program and serve beer, wine and hard seltzers throughout the arena at designated concession locations, in accordance with state liquor laws. This expansion will allow fans of legal age to return to their seats with their beverages to view the game. All sales of beer, wine and hard seltzers will conclude at the start of the third period. 

All alcohol purchases will be limited to a maximum of two drinks per person at any one time. To ensure responsible service, all serving staff are TIPS-certified (Training for Intervention Procedures) and will work closely with security staff to confirm valid identification. Once identification is verified, patrons will receive a wristband upon entry into each alcohol-purchasing location.

"Security and staff personnel will continuously monitor all seating locations, concessions and beer garden areas with heightened educational awareness campaigns communicating and promoting fan responsibility and self-regulation for alcohol consumption," said Director of Athletics Jude Killy. "UMaine remains committed to creating a welcoming, family-friendly, and responsible environment for all fans. We appreciate your cooperation as we work to enhance the game-day experience while maintaining safety and compliance during this expanded pilot program."

-UMaine-