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UMaine 25-26: Marques My Word: Back to the Big Time

The rink itself felt dark, even with the new lighting. Even a place like Matthews seems ten times brighter than Alfond.
 
Sparkee said:
Maine jumped too much in the polls it looks like. Now #6 in the country.

UMass is #13.

Let’s hope the boys don’t get cocky.

Likely they will need to give it all they got to get out of there with a split.
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I think that the jump was due more to BU being overrated (and still are IMO) than the voters respecting Maine. I like Maine feeling a bit of pressure though....if they want to get back to being a perennial contender they are going to have to handle the pressure of being on top.
 
umhockey91 said:
I think that the jump was due more to BU being overrated (and still are IMO) than the voters respecting Maine. I like Maine feeling a bit of pressure though....if they want to get back to being a perennial contender they are going to have to handle the pressure of being on top.
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The poll is such a crapshoot right now. Denver, NoDak, UConn, and Maine all keep dropping games they should win. Nobody outside the top 3 or 4 is really pulling away
 
Seems like UMass and Maine are having similar issues so far this season. They also have a large group of new faces and have had some struggles gelling. Hrabel has been as disappointing as Boija.

Oh, they also have the #2 freshman goal scorer in the country in Nestrasil. With 7 goals, he trails only Justin Poirier.
 
Gameday is here. I think what I said before the Quinnipiac series still applies here; a split is the likely outcome, and better than that is a pleasant surprise and worse than that would be a disappointment. Hopefully with a few more weeks of having played together, plus with a couple big wins last weekend, they can find a way and get at least one win on the road against a solid opponent, unlike what we saw in Hamden a few weeks ago.
 
amkirby10 said:
Gameday is here. I think what I said before the Quinnipiac series still applies here; a split is the likely outcome, and better than that is a pleasant surprise and worse than that would be a disappointment. Hopefully with a few more weeks of having played together, plus with a couple big wins last weekend, they can find a way and get at least one win on the road against a solid opponent, unlike what we saw in Hamden a few weeks ago.
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The thing that gives me hope is how they came back and answered BU multiple times last weekend. To me that was the biggest positive development. The goaltending is still a question mark though.
 
I just want one regulation win. In the current NPI/pairwise setup OT wins aren’t much better than a tie. The situation for Hockey East right now is pretty grim.
 
I'd be happy with a split in this series for sure.

Looking at some numbers under the hood on Boija yesterday. His PK save percentage being as low as it is currently says there is some bad luck, likely because Maine's PK is tied for 46th in the nation at 75% right now (compared to 15th at 83% last season).

We started to see the defensive pairings gel a bit more this past weekend and pairing offensive minded guys like Peterson with Holt and Langlois with Djurasevic is going to help.
 
From the athletics department

This New Year’s, you aren't just watching Maine Men’s Ice Hockey—you're joining the action as the team takes on the University of Denver! This is not just a hockey trip, it is an experience of championship-level hockey, exploring Denver, and celebrating the New Year. You will be on the road with the team experiencing the excitement firsthand, exploring Denver's sights by day, and cheering on the Black Bears on January 2nd and 3rd! It’s a bucket-list trip packed into four unforgettable days.

Details

What: Join Maine Men’s Ice Hockey this New Year’s for the University of Denver series!

When: Wednesday December 31st, 2025 to Sunday January 3rd, 2026.

Where: Denver, Colorado.

Cost: The cost per person is $5,000. $2,500 is due to reserve your spot, and $2,500 is due prior
to 12.15.25. This cost includes chartered flights to and from Denver with the team, three hotel
nights in Denver, tickets to both games in the series (January 2nd and January 3rd), and
transportation to and from the airport, and to the games. This tax deductible contribution of $3,545 to the Men's Ice Hockey Program helps support the cost of travel for the team. This offer provides a great experience for attendees, and an opportunity to support Maine Men's Ice Hockey.

Payment: Payment is accepted by check only. Please make checks out to University of Maine
Foundation: MIH Denver. $2,500 is due up front to reserve your spot, and the remaining
balance is due prior to 12.15.25. Checks can also be paid in full. Checks can be mailed to:

Athletic Development
Department of Athletics
5747 Memorial Gym
Orono, ME 04469

Next Steps:

We've secured limited space to ensure a great experience for everyone traveling with the team.
To confirm and secure your spot after signing up, a reservation check is required. Please
note that without timely receipt of the check, the spot may be offered to another interested party.

1. View the full itinerary here
2. Limited seats are available-sign up today to reserve your spot. Sign-up is complete
only upon receipt of your check.

Click here to make your deposit and secure your spot.

This is your chance to create incredible memories supporting Maine Hockey while celebrating
the New Year in Colorado! Please review all trip details, and if you have any questions, reach
out to Erin Magnuson, Director of Athletic Development, at erin.magnuson@maine.edu.
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ticapnews said:
From the athletics department
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That is a cool idea. A little too pricey for me but I’m sure not for others. If you can itemize and not take standard deduction maybe the effective cost is $3750, where you get some refund of $1250 eventually on tax refund. The. It is like $1250 is your real cost. Then $2500 goes to funding two of the players/coaches. So it would be super cool if on the way out you get to spend an hour chatting with a player on the plane. Ask about his upbringing, hometown, funnest memories, etc… get to know a player. Be good for fans and players to connect so that there is a vested interest in funding the team in the future and vested interest in performing for their beloved fans. Then on way home get to chat with the other player you sponsored. Ideally that would likely foster good relationships between current and perspective donors and the teammates. I hope it becomes a success story.
 
Sparkee said:
That is a cool idea. A little too pricey for me but I’m sure not for others. If you can itemize and not take standard deduction maybe the effective cost is $3750, where you get some refund of $1250 eventually on tax refund. The. It is like $1250 is your real cost. Then $2500 goes to funding two of the players/coaches. So it would be super cool if on the way out you get to spend an hour chatting with a player on the plane. Ask about his upbringing, hometown, funnest memories, etc… get to know a player. Be good for fans and players to connect so that there is a vested interest in funding the team in the future and vested interest in performing for their beloved fans. Then on way home get to chat with the other player you sponsored. Ideally that would likely foster good relationships between current and perspective donors and the teammates. I hope it becomes a success story.
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I like this idea. I will be paying the IRS the Full Monte because I always do, being on my own and unable to itemize due to the evil Socialist agenda that has existed for decades in re: of deductions for children, mortgage interest, etc. I never got a sniff of that "handout", but I'm OK with it.

Still, I think that directly paying a special player such as Poirier is perhaps a better use of a contribution than that same dollar amount going to the program in general. This is a forward-thinking concept.

GO BLUE!
 
ticapnews said:
From the athletics department
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If Malcolm Hayes was still on the team I probably could talk my wife into going but unfortunately I’m out of luck.

I think it’s really cool they’re doing this and hopefully it will sell out. It is kind of pricey but definitely a fun experience and a lot easier than trying to book travel on your own.
 
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