The Bowdoin College Polar Bears and Colby College’s White Mu The Bowdoin College Polar Bears and Colby College’s White Mules open their hockey seasons this weekend when they venture to Vermont to play Norwich and Middlebury.

Colby plays Norwich on Friday night and Middlebury on Saturday afternoon while the Polar Bears will play Middlebury on Friday evening and Norwich on Saturday afternoon.

“I’ve always liked opening on the road,” said Bowdoin Coach Terry Meagher. “It’s a valuable experience early on. You come together as a team riding on a bus. These will be good tests for us.”

Bowdoin, 18-5-3 a year ago, will be led by the explosive veteran line of Charlie Gaffney between Marcello Gentile and Joe Gaffney and defenseman Paul Croteau. And Meagher said he has been happy with the play of youngsters Dave Cataruzolo, Kevin Dell’Oro, Chris Carosi, and Jim Cavanaugh.

Colby, under Scott Borek, went 13-9-2 a year ago and will be led by Dan Lavergne, Nick Lamia, Brian Pompeo, Darren Blauert, and defenseman Stu Wales. They were Colby’s top five scorers a year ago.