Bears could clinch HE title this weekend

The University of Maine hockey team can claim its first Hockey East title since the 1987-88 season this weekend with a win and a tie when it visits Northeastern (Friday) and New Hampshire (Saturday).

Maine’s magic number for clinching is three points over Providence and two over New Hampshire and Boston University.

The Bears have finished second behind Boston College in the Hockey East regular season standings the last three seasons. In those three years, they missed out on first place by a total of only four points.

“That’s the only thing we’ve been talking about in the locker room,” said Maine junior right winger Jean-Yves Roy. “We haven’t won anything in my three years here.”

Fifth-year senior Steve Tepper will be reinserted into the Maine lineup for the Northeastern game after missing the last six games to address academic difficulties.

“Northeastern physically took advantage of us the last time (4-3 NU win on Jan. 24) and the make-up of our line (with C Dave LaCouture and LW Steve Widmeyer) is designed for us to be physical,” said Tepper, who didn’t play in the Jan. 24 game. “That’s our role.”

Tepper also realizes this may be his last opportunity to earn a regular spot in the lineup and he knows what he has to do.

“I’ve got to play the body and generate some offense,” said the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Tepper, who enjoys playing in the small confines of NU’s Matthews Arena. “I love small rinks. They’re better suited for me.”