Bangor High School hockey coach Dan Kerluke said he hopes to make his “Fill the Alfond” promotion an annual event.

Kerluke did not set the state schoolboy single-game attendance record against Brewer on Tuesday night at the University of Maine’s Alfond Arena, but an enthusiastic turnout of 1,675 pleased the second-year coach.

Bangor won 6-1.

“It was great. Maybe we can break the record next year,” said Kerluke, who was shooting for 3,000-plus set during a playoff game between archrivals Lewiston and St. Dom’s of Lewiston.

“It was a great atmosphere,” said Bangor High School athletic director Steve Vanidestine, who was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. “It had the excitement of a playoff game. Coach Kerluke did a great job.”

Vanidestine estimated that the event turned a profit of approximately $3,500.

Kerluke and his assistants and players spent a lot of time promoting the event.

“We handed out flyers and put them on windshields at the Friday night games with New Hampshire and Alabama-Huntsville, we had advertisements on TV and radio, the Sports Arena in Bangor helped us, and then there was word of mouth,” said Kerluke.

Authentic University of Maine jerseys were raffled off at the game and any youngsters wearing a youth hockey jersey got in free.

There was a four-minute game between the first and second periods featuring squirts teams from Bangor and Brewer. It ended in a 1-1 tie.

Kerluke said he thoroughly enjoyed the squirts mini-game.

“That was great. The kids were so excited when they scored,” said Kerluke, who was equally thrilled about the excitement he saw in the eyes of his players as they took the ice for the start of the game.

“It was awesome. It gave me great satisfaction,” said Kerluke.

The players enjoyed themselves and the fans, many of whom were youngsters, had a good time.

“I enjoyed it very much,” said Lloyd Smith of Veazie. “It’s a great idea. It was great to see so many young kids here. It gives them a goal. It’s also nice to carry on the Bangor-Brewer rivalry. I was quite impressed with some of the Bangor players. They had some excellent stick-handlers.”

“It was very good hockey,” said Bangor’s David Gallant. “It was a great turnout for high school hockey.”

“The kids deserve something like this. They work hard,” said Bangor’s Walter Moore. “This sport doesn’t get a lot of support sometimes.”

Glenburn’s Dennis Lally brought his 4-year-old son, Cody, and they were entertained.

“There’s nothing better than getting out of work and going to watch a hockey game,” said Dennis. “I didn’t expect this many fans. We enjoyed ourselves. Cody loves hockey.”

Hale honored at meets

Former Bangor High assistant swimming coach Rob Hale was honored at this week’s state championship meets.

Hale, who helped longtime coach Phil Emery from 1985-89, has been the head coach at Greely of Cumberland Center since 1992. He has coached the Greely girls to state titles from 1998-2000 and the boys to the 1999 title.

He also skippered the Westbrook girls to state crowns in 1990 and 1991.

Hale was awarded with a plaque and his accomplishments were read off before each of the four state meets. Each year the Maine Principals Association dedicates the state meets to a notable member of the swimming community.