Bears-BU rivalry reheats tonight

It is the rivalry in Hockey East.

The University of Maine and Boston University have given Hockey East its first two NCAA hockey championships with Maine claiming the 1992-93 crown and BU beating the Bears 6-2 in last year’s title game.

They will renew acquaintances tonight at the University of Maine’s Alfond Arena.

“They have replaced Boston College as our biggest rival,” said Maine Coach Shawn Walsh. “We have played so many big games against BU over the past five years.”

“BU is the No. 1 team in the country and you always want to knock off No. 1. It’s like Nebraska in football. And we’ll be out for a little revenge after last year’s national championship,” said Maine senior left wing Reg Cardinal, who returns after missing four games with a bruised shoulder.

Boston University Coach Jack Parker said, “Whenever we play Maine, it’s a big game, especially when we play at Maine.”

Parker and Maine senior goalie Blair Allison said there is a mutual respect between the players in the two programs.

The teams have met in two Hockey East tournament championship game in the 1990s with BU triumphing 4-3 in overtime in 1991 and Maine winning 5-2 in 1993.

Maine beat BU in the Hockey East semifinals in 1990, and BU ousted Maine from the HE quarterfinals in 1994.

Last year marked the first time they had met in the NCAA Tournament.

Tuesday’s game will feature a high-powered BU lineup against a Maine team that has struggled to score goals but has been stingy defensively.

“They are tremendous up front. They’re better than they were a year ago. When [All-Americans] Mike Grier and Chris O’Sullivan are their sixth- and seventh-leading scorers, what does that tell you?” asked Walsh. “For the first time this year, we will be decided underdogs.”

Walsh said despite his team’s offensive woes, they can’t worry about scoring goals against BU. They must focus on stopping the Terriers.

“If we don’t shut them down, it won’t matter how many goals we score,” said Maine junior defenseman Jeff Tory.

There will be a collection held for injured Boston University forward and Yarmouth native Travis Roy after the first period of Tuesday’s game.

Roy is paralyzed as the result of a spinal cord injury suffered against North Dakota on Oct. 20. The Maine portion of the 50-50 raffle will also go to Roy, and donation kiosks will be at the entrances.