In the heart of the Pine Tree State, Alfond Arena truly has been the House of Maine this season.
Through 14 games, the Black Bears (16-10-4 overall, 9-7-2 in Hockey East) are 11-1-2 in Orono.
In front of a raucous atmosphere with students and fans hanging over the ice, it took until Feb. 14 for them to be dealt their first loss in their home barn.
It’s an advantage that’s aided an upbeat season for coach Red Gendron’s squad in 2019-20, and with four games left in the season, three of which will be played at home, it could play a key role in shaping their ultimate postseason fate. Plus, they’re only two points out of first place in the top-heavy Hockey East standings.
But in no way does simply suiting up at the Alfond result in an automatic Maine win.
There’s a lot more going on regarding their success than where they drop the puck.
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“If we don’t play well, then I don’t care how loud the Alfond crowd is, it’s not going to overcome poor play,” Gendron said. “So, we’ve been good at home, but in order to stay good at home we have to play to our identity and do the things that we do well, that’s the bottom line.”
That’s not to say it isn’t a fun barn to lace 'em up and win in, though.
“It’s an absolute blast,” senior captain Mitchell Fossier said. “I think it can be a huge advantage if you use it as such, which I think we’ve done a good job of so far. Obviously, you still have to show up, but it’s pretty easy to get fired up for a game when this place is packed and buzzing. It’s a special place. Just with the history and the old building – when it’s sold out, it just shakes.”
There really is no place like home.
But before they set out on their red-hot run in Orono, the Black Bears started the season off on a down note when they were beaten, 7-0, by Providence on opening night.
After that subpar showing, they won five of their next six games. Since then, they’ve beaten several ranked opponents and turned quite a few heads in Hockey East.
Most notably, a 3-1-1 start to the second half was bolstered by back-to-back overtime wins over No. 6 Boston College on the road. Then, two weeks later, they knocked off No. 10 Northeastern in Orono to earn the 17th ranking in the USCHO poll, their first top-20 rank since January 2018.
A major driver of their success has been the leadership core, highlighted by the senior class.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re playing well lately,” Gendron said. “We’ve got a real good group of players that bring different things to the team, and they’re very well led. The captains and older players have done a great job of making sure everybody keeps their focus."
According to Fossier, an Alpharetta, Ga., native, it’s been an easy, mature group to lead.
“I think in the last four years, this has probably been the most fun that I’ve had playing hockey here,” he said. “The guys in the locker room are something special – there’s a chemistry there and there really aren’t any bad guys in the locker room. So, it just makes such a big difference.”
Along with Fossier, the Black Bears dress three assistant captains -- Tim Doherty, Jack Quinlivan and Ryan Smith -- to share the load of ensuring the team remains focused in good times and bad.
Just as it does in the room, the group sets the tone on the ice. Fossier and Doherty, especially.
After being handed their first home loss of the season against rival UConn on Friday, the senior captains and linemates came back on Saturday and hooked up for the overtime winner with 52 seconds left to grab two key points. It was the game’s only goal and Fossier’s eighth of the year.
After his initial celebration, the captain was last in the group that circled the ice tapping their sticks against the glass to send their appreciation to the home fans who created yet another classic backdrop for an Alfond win. And, as expected, he was the last one to step off the ice.
Through 30 games, Fossier sits in a three-way tie for third in conference scoring, with 37 points on 29 assists. Doherty trails not very far behind, with 33 points on a team-leading 13 goals.
Mixing that core with a tight-knight room and the hard-nosed style of play that it’s stuck to all season – at home especially – Maine will be a team to watch as the stretch run picks up speed.
They just have to take advantage of their opportunities and stick to what’s been working.
“With the Alfond, it’s known as a hard place to play, you get under that student section as an opposing team with the physicality of our club (and) it’s really tough to play against,” Fossier said. “I think we’ve really embraced the physicality of the game. Everyone’s finishing their hits. When we’re playing with speed and finishing on guys on the wall, we’re really tough to play against, and I think that’s something we have to stick to.”
With three of their last four at home, the Black Bears have a shot to make even more noise in the ever-tightening race for Hockey East. Now is the time to strike. It all starts Friday with Vermont.
“They’re going to be a good opponent,” Fossier said. “We’re excited to get them at the Alfond.”
Liam Flaherty can be reached at lflaherty24@gmail.com and on Twitter @_LiamFlaherty.
