Ii think that's a little dour as far as an outlook goes, no? Maybe that's how it feels for UMaine fans, and who am I to tell you folks otherwise. I know Red isn't seen as The Savior, and it's probably fair to say that he isn't reminding anyone in Orono of Whitehead, much less the messianic guy who preceded Timmy. But here in the early days of the Souza Era, fresh off a last place finish, and a terrible start to this season, there seems to be plenty of reason for optimism.
"Hapless" in comparison to where things were 15-20 years ago? No doubt. But this weekend was the first time UMaine v. UNH felt even 25% of how the Border War used to feel. That's a start. If Souza can continue and extend the upward trajectory of the last two-plus months, and if UMaine can get in some new blood to shake their program out of neutral, we may all be onto something special again.
Hockey East needs us both. The tournament struggles to fill half the house these days. A HE Tourney featuring UNH, UMaine, one of the Boston teams AND a Lowell or Amherst … sign me up.