Orono, Maine — University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy has issued approval for UMaine to host a men’s ice hockey playoff game on Wednesday, March 10 at Alfond Arena.
The Black Bears are slated to host New Hampshire in the first round of the Hockey East playoffs. The game will be at either 4:30 or 7:00 PM pending a final league determination. The game will be televised, heard locally on the Black Bear Sports Network, and audio streamed on GoBlackBears.com.
The in-person determination was reached through updates to game operation plans, and ongoing interpretation and clarification of existing state guidance by university leaders in consultation with state officials. The university remains committed to compliance with civil authority requirements.
To ensure alignment with state COVID-19 guidelines regarding gathering sizes, no spectators will be permitted in Alfond Arena on game day. The facility will be separated into two indoor gathering spaces for at most 50 people each. Only personnel deemed essential will be in the facility during the home contest. In addition to the requirements of civil authorities, the university is complying with the COVID-19 health and safety requirements of NCAA and Hockey East.
“Our Black Bear hockey teams have been road warriors all season and we are pleased to provide our men’s team with a chance to start the playoffs with home ice advantage,” said President Ferrini-Mundy. “We are very proud of our student-athletes and how they have worked so hard with coaches and staff to be leaders in our public health campaign this year.”
“Better days are coming,” continued Ferrini-Mundy. “We are making transformative facilities investments supporting all 17 of our varsity programs and access to safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines will soon allow us to welcome Black Bear Nation back in big numbers to cheer on our teams.”
Link to Photo: UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, right, received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination at the Cross Center in Bangor. UMaine senior Stephanie Nichols, one of many School of Nursing students and faculty working to maximize vaccination efforts, administered the vaccination.
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