The University of Maine men’s hockey team set a school record for average home attendance this season by drawing 5,576 per game.

That represents 98.8 percent of capacity, which is listed as 5,641 at Alfond Arena.

The previous best was 5,507 during the 1999-2000 season.

“That’s awesome,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “There’s no question it has had a huge impact on our team and the success of our team. It’s a great statement about the passion of the fans up here.”

Several schools in Hockey East play in state-of-the-art facilities that have been built within the last 10 years, but Whitehead said, “I love Alfond Arena just the way it is. The fans are right on top of the ice. It’s unique. It’s electric.”

Maine rewarded the fans with a 15-1-1 regular-season home record.

There were 11 sellouts, including the last four games.

Whitehead said playing in a packed arena full of loud, passionate fans is a vital ingredient in the recruitment of student-athletes to Maine.

“This has been such a fun team to watch all year,” said Maine athletic director Patrick Nero. “It’s a hard-working group. It’s nice to see that the fans and the state really appreciates that.”

He said the fan support has been especially impressive because Maine has played some games during student breaks and that there is seating for only 5,441. There are 200 standing room tickets per game.

Maine is hosting Merrimack in their best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinal series this weekend.

Maine women need AE title

The University of Maine women’s basketball team would have an outside shot to earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament if it doesn’t win the America East tourney, according to Nero.

The America East Tournament winner earns an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

“Last year, the NCAA told us we had to upgrade our nonconference schedule and Sharon [women’s coach Sharon Versyp] did a great job upgrading it,” said Nero. “None of our nonconference opponents [last year] finished in the top 75 in the RPI [Ratings Percentage Index]. Five of the nonconference teams this year finished in the top 75.”

He was referring to Marquette, Washington, Drake, Indiana, and Wisconsin-Green Bay.

As a result, Maine’s RPI is 10 spots higher than it was at this time last year, according to Nero.

“But it would be a longshot [to get in as an at-large],” said Nero.

The Maine AD also said the school has submitted a bid to host a Women’s NIT game in case the team doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament.

Maine hosted Creighton University of Omaha in the WNIT last season, losing 74-67.

The Maine women finished 25-6 a year ago. The Bears are 24-6 entering Saturday’s America East championship game.

The Maine men’s basketball team will take a 20-9 record into Saturday’s America East championship game at Vermont, and Nero said the Bears have to win to earn an NCAA Tourney berth.

“Our RPI would be too low to get an at-large bid,” said Nero.

He feels the NIT would consider them if they lose to Vermont, “but we’d have to travel to play.”

Bowdoin women in NCAA play

The Bowdoin College women’s hockey team, 20-4-1, will try to gain a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament’s Frozen Four when it takes on 20-5-2 Plattsburgh State in Plattsburgh, N.Y., today at 3:30 p.m.

The Polar Bears have been led by NESCAC Rookie of the Year Meghan Gillis, who had consecutive hat tricks against Hamilton and Middlebury in the NESCAC semifinals and final.

Gillis has 23 goals and 19 assists for 42 points. Britney Carr has 15 goals and 23 assists, Marisa O’Neil has 18 & 17, and Kate Leonard has 16 & 14.