Bears start gearing up for opener

Interim head coach Lauren Steblen has been encouraged by her UMaine women’s hockey team, which opens its season against perennial power Mercyhurst College (Pa.) Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. at Alfond Arena.

They will square off again on Sunday at 111 a.m.

The team had its first practice last Saturday.

“The captains have done a phenomenal job bringing the team together. The team chemistry is so different from years past. It seemed like that was the missing element,” said Steblen.

“Everyone is getting along. Everyone has the same goals and the girls established the goals on their own. Everyone is going in the same direction and willing to sacrifice for each other,” she added.

Sonia Corriveau and Kelly Law are the co-captains with Karine Senecal and Rachel Gettings serving as assistant captains. They are all seniors.

Steblen said the captains have done an exceptional job teaching the systems to the six freshmen, who have done a “great job learning them.”

The freshmen will get their share of ice time because Steblen has only 17 skaters and three goalies.

“We’ll have four lines and five defensemen,” said Steblen, who is replacing Guy Perron, now the top assistant for the UMaine men’s team.

She expects her team’s speed to be a strength and goal-scoring to be another plus. The Black Bears return four of their top five scorers.

Inexperience could loom as a concern.

She added the goaltending battle is wide-open between Gettings and sophomores Genevieve Turgeon and Lundy Day.

Turgeon played in 22 games last season, Gettings saw action in 11 and Day appeared in six.

“They all look strong. They’re in better shape this year,” said Steblen, who likes the fact her team will be tested right off the bat.

“It’s a real good way to start the year,” said Steblen.