The University of Maine’s men’s hockey team will play its first home game of the season against rival University of New Hampshire in this year’s playoffs.
The Black Bears haven’t played a single home game in the 2020-21 season because of the coronavirus. UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy said she has approved the team to play on Wednesday at Alfond Arena in Orono.
There will be no fans at the arena, and the facility will be separated into two indoor gathering spaces for no more than 50 people, university officials said in a statement.
“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,” Ferrini-Mundy said.
The Black Bears are a long shot to advance deep into the Hockey East tournament. However, Ferrini-Mundy said the program’s ability to host a home game is a sign that “better days are coming” to the campus community.
