USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
Maine Black Bears 2026 Offseason: Missing Out on Mistlebacher
- Thread starter amkirby10
- Start date
BlackBearFan19
Well-known member
Agreed and I think we’re overvaluing scheduling western teams to begin with. Quinnipiac is perennial top 10 team and so that is our high quality OOC matchup. Wouldn’t mind rounding out the rest of the schedule with someone better than Bentley and Holy Cross but this idea that we have to schedule some massive road trip west each year confuses me.
Sorry if Quinnipiac is not sexy enough for the western school admirers but the points for a win will count the same at the end of the day.
McGoverners
Well-known member
Bentley/Holy Cross or the independents are probably on the schedule regardless, because we almost never have to agree to a home and home to make it happen. Any western team most likely replaces the Colgates or RPIs
tylerzx2002
Well-known member
Not only the cross country flight but the historic rep of Alfond being a tough barn to win in on the road doesn't exactly make teams line up to make a trek that could hurt them in the NPI.
I would be more than happy to continue the current arrangement with Quinnipiac, but I'd like to add another series with some solidly ranked eastern schools like Cornell or Dartmouth.
Regarding schedule discourse, I think if Maine really wanted to schedule with the B1G or NCHC more often, they could; UNH had Michigan of all people in Durham in 2019, and might have State there this year, and Vermont is hosting St. Cloud State in Burlington. But, given that a two-year home+home would be required with anyone in either of those conferences in all likelihood, I understand why Maine dosen't do it very often, although they obviously did just have Denver in a two-year home and home. I think if Maine were to schedule a B1G or NCHC opponent every 3-4 years or so, thats probably the best we can expect.
That being said, I do agree that Maine should schedule more robust opponents outside of Quinnipiac; some have mentioned Cornell and Dartmouth, but I would also throw in teams like Clarkson, Harvard, and maybe Union/Colgate as well that should be more regular. Although, knowing the Ivy League, maybe they wouldnt want to be caught brushing shoulders with a *shudders* public school.
I guess my point is that expecting a big ticket Western series every year is probably a bit far fetched, but wanting stronger opponents besides a collection of independents and Atlantic Hockey teams is a reasonable ask.
That being said, I do agree that Maine should schedule more robust opponents outside of Quinnipiac; some have mentioned Cornell and Dartmouth, but I would also throw in teams like Clarkson, Harvard, and maybe Union/Colgate as well that should be more regular. Although, knowing the Ivy League, maybe they wouldnt want to be caught brushing shoulders with a *shudders* public school.
I guess my point is that expecting a big ticket Western series every year is probably a bit far fetched, but wanting stronger opponents besides a collection of independents and Atlantic Hockey teams is a reasonable ask.
AMC
Registered User
I don't understand why a name non-conference opponent (non-Quinnipiac division) is far fetched. Teams way lower than Maine on the totem pole can schedule them. Sure, it's tough to win at Maine, but it doesn't tank your season like Denver losing in Anchorage would. Or Ohio State losing at RPI.
Vermont is hosting St. Cloud. Merrimack is hosting Minnesota State. UNH is hosting Michigan State. SACRED HEART is hosting Ohio State.
I'm sick of Bentley, I'm sick of Holy Cross, I'm sick of Colgate. And if Maine is flying to St. Louis to return a series to Lindenwood I'm going to want some notarized letters of apology.
Vermont is hosting St. Cloud. Merrimack is hosting Minnesota State. UNH is hosting Michigan State. SACRED HEART is hosting Ohio State.
I'm sick of Bentley, I'm sick of Holy Cross, I'm sick of Colgate. And if Maine is flying to St. Louis to return a series to Lindenwood I'm going to want some notarized letters of apology.
BernieTheReffigy
Member
One thing of note on scheduling big-ticket western teams: Barr supposedly hates plane trips. And none of those teams are coming to Orono without a return trip. Just something to keep in mind. I agree that scheduling AHA/Indy cupcakes along with QU every year is getting old.
ticapnews
Never graduate.
NorthMike
Well-known member
Yes he has said that about commercial flights. They upped their game and take charter flights now under bar.
BlackBearHockeyFan
Active member
The state should buy the Hockey Team a private Jet
umhockey91
Well-known member
Looking back at schedules from the mid-80s when HE & WCHA had the interlocking scheduling agreement. It was a glorious time!
From 84-85.....imagine having these home games in 1 season?
Minnesota (2)
Northern Michigan (2)
Wisconsin (2)
North Dakota (2)
Providence
BU
Northeastern
UNH
Lowell
BC
www.collegehockeynews.com
From 84-85.....imagine having these home games in 1 season?
Minnesota (2)
Northern Michigan (2)
Wisconsin (2)
North Dakota (2)
Providence
BU
Northeastern
UNH
Lowell
BC
Maine 1984‑85 Schedule/Results
Maine schedule and results for the 1984‑85 season, with links to boxscores, team information and more.
AMC
Registered User
Hey you know what at least half of the NCAA regionals require? A plane trip! Good time to take your first one of the year, I bet.
The most successful team in Maine history played in the Great Alaska Faceoff, Great Western Freeze Out, and Cleveland Hockey Classic. Not to mention three of its most important players flew to Sweden for the World Juniors!
Looking back at schedules from the mid-80s when HE & WCHA had the interlocking scheduling agreement. It was a glorious time!
From 84-85.....imagine having these home games in 1 season?
Minnesota (2)
Northern Michigan (2)
Wisconsin (2)
North Dakota (2)
Providence
BU
Northeastern
UNH
Lowell
BC
Maine 1984‑85 Schedule/Results
Maine schedule and results for the 1984‑85 season, with links to boxscores, team information and more.
Up until Notre Dame and UConn joined the league the schedules were always fine. You had maybe one or two games against bottom feeders and that would be it. At this point if the league went back to playing each team three teams it would be a big improvement.
tylerzx2002
Well-known member
While we're on the topic of scheduling, I'd imagine it's pretty likely that Maine will have a home game on 2/5/27 this season as that is the date Alfond opened 50 years ago.
Last edited:
BlackBearHockeyFan
Active member
Anyone but up to see how the Basketball Arena is coming along?
BernieTheReffigy
Member
Always thought that football could easily cut costs by breaking off from the CAA and forming Yankee Conference 2.0/AmEast Football with NH, URI, Albany, Merrimack, Bryant, Stonehill. Six teams get you an auto-bid to the NCAA tourney, and every team is a bus ride away, which would save Athletics quite a bit of money that would otherwise go to FB plane rides for conference games.
BernieTheReffigy
Member
Still a pile of dirt last I checked
