ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine men's ice hockey team announced its schedule for the upcoming season today. The 2018-19 slate is highlighted by a trip to defending National Champion Minnesota Duluth, a fifth consecutive season competing at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland and games against five NCAA tournament qualifiers from a year ago.
 
In addition to the 24-game Hockey East slate, the Black Bears will play seven games against ECAC Hockey schools and three against NCHC schools in Minnesota Duluth and Colorado College. Ten of the team's final 16 games will take place in front of the Alfond faithful, with 17 regular season home games in total.
 
Following an exhibition date at Alfond Arena on Oct. 8 against the University of Prince Edward Island, Maine opens up the 2018-19 season with a pair of home games against St. Lawrence University on Oct.12-13. The Saints and Black Bears last met during the 2013-14 season, when the Black Bears opened up the season on the road.
 
The Black Bears then leave the friendly confines of the Alfond for two consecutive weeks, beginning with a trip to the 2018 National Champions. Maine's trip to Minnesota Duluth will mark the 17th time in program history and the seventh time in the 10 years that the Black Bears take on the defending national champion.
 
Maine then opens up conference play on the road Oct. 26-27 against UConn. Maine topped UConn, 4-3, in last year's season-opening overtime thriller. A two-game set against UMass Lowell Nov. 2-3 are Maine's only two Hockey East home games before Jan. 11. After a bye week, the Black Bears will travel to Agganis Arena Nov. 16-17 to battle the Boston University Terriers. ECAC Hockey squad Quinnipiac visits Orono Nov. 23-24. Last year, the Black Bears took two on the road from the Bobcats.
 
The Black Bears dip back into league play to wrap up the first semester, traveling to Vermont Nov. 30-Dec. 1 for a look at the Catamounts.
 
After the winter break, Maine wraps up non-conference play with four non-conference games, three against ECAC Hockey schools. First up is a road trip Dec. 28-29 to Princeton, a team Maine last played against during the 2015-16 season. Next is a home contest against Colorado College on Wednesday, Jan. 2.The team then wraps up non-conference play on Monday, Jan. 7 against Yale in Portland at the Cross Insurance Arena. The Black Bears and Bulldogs last met during the 1998-99 season.
 
Maine shifts back to Hockey East play for its final 16 games of the season, starting with a two-game home series Jan.11-12 against Northeastern. The Black Bears hit the road for their first look at Boston College on Thursday, Jan. 17, then return home for a Monday meeting against rival New Hampshire on Jan. 21. Maine continues its season-long three-game home stand Jan. 25-26 with two games against UMass. Maine swept the season series against both the Wildcats and the Minutemen last year.
 
The rivalry with UNH resumes Feb. 1-2 in Durham before Maine hosts Providence for a pair Feb. 8-9. Maine will play its lone two regular season contests against Merrimack Feb. 15-16, traveling to Lawler Arena in North Andover. The Black Bears host Boston College the following weekend before its final road trip of the regular season March 2 – heading to Amherst to take on the Minutemen.
 
For the first time since the 2002-03 season, the Black Bears will conclude the regular season against the Terriers. Boston University and Maine will play a single game on Saturday, March 9 at Alfond Arena.
 
Maine returns nine of its top 10 scorers, seven of its eight defensemen and 2017-18 Hockey East All-Rookie goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Chase Pearson and Swayman also return after being named to the league's All-Star Honorable squad last season.

*Season Membership sales will begin on Monday, June 25 at 10 a.m. Group tickets and Flex Plans will be available Aug. 20 followed by single game sales beginning Sept. 4. Game times to be announced at a later date.*
 
-UMaine-