The University of Maine and University of New Hampshire are archrivals in hockey.

UNH is Maine’s closest Hockey East rival and the two teams have combined to make 28 NCAA Tournament appearances since the inception of Hockey East in 1984-85.

This weekend, the two are adding a new chapter to their relationship as they chartered a plane together for the Florida College Hockey Classic in Estero, Fla.

Maine will play Western Michigan in the tourney opener at 4:05 p.m. Friday with UNH taking on Cornell at 7:35.

The Wildcats boarded the plane in Portsmouth, N.H., Wednesday and flew to Bangor International Airport, where the Black Bears joined them. They then flew directly to Fort Myers, Fla.

They will also fly back together.

Maine athletic director Blake James said he suggested the joint charter to UNH athletic director Marty Scarano and “everything fell together.”

The Black Bears’ men’s hockey and women’s basketball teams chartered a flight to Florida last season and James said, “It went real well for us.”

James said chartering a flight to Florida costs “in the neighborhood of $70,000,” so by sharing it with UNH, it will only cost UMaine approximately $35,000.

He said if UNH hadn’t joined them, they would have had to take a commercial flight like they did prior to last season.

“I couldn’t have justified [a $70,000 charter fee] financially,” said James.

It would cost approximately $20,000 to take a commercial flight, he said.

But commercial flights have had their share of complications, especially since several of the players go home for the semester break and have to catch connecting flights to join up with their teammates.

In 2004, brothers Mike and Matt Lundin along with Bear teammate Tim Maxwell ran into delays that forced them to spend a night in an airport. Their luggage and hockey equipment didn’t arrive with them, and they wound up taking a 165-mile cab ride from Orlando to Estero.

“There are so many challenges traveling [on commercial flights] this time of year,” said James. “Look at everything that happened last week in Denver [due to a blizzard]. It’s such a risk.”

He also pointed out that getting all the hockey equipment on a commercial flight isn’t easy.

“Chartering really helps make the travel so much easier,” said James.

The Maine players planned to take the trip in stride.

“I’m fine with it,” said Maine senior center and captain Michel Leveille. “We’re usually pretty friendly with each other off the ice. We’re all involved in the same routine.”

“It should be interesting,” said sophomore goalie Ben Bishop. “I know a few guys on their team. A lot of the guys know guys on their team, but it will still be pretty awkward.”

Husson’s Biggers is NE All-Star

Husson College senior Bryan Biggers has become the first Eagles player to be named a New England Writers Select Division II/III Football All-Star.

Biggers, a cornerback from Orlando, Fla., led Husson’s defense with five interceptions and was third in tackles with 441/2. Husson’s defense yielded 128 passing yards per game. Biggers has seven interceptions and 71 tackles in his two seasons at Husson since transferring from Dean Junior College.

The 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back also returned punts and kickoffs for the Eagles, averaging 6.8 yards per punt return (13 total) and 21.7 yards per kick return (six total).

Biggers helped lead the Eagles to a 6-4 season, their best record since the program was restarted in 2003.

“This was great for the program to have one of our student athletes honored regionally,” said Husson football coach Gabby Price in a press release. “We are really happy for Bryan. He had a great senior year and was recognized for his efforts.

“He is a tremendous athlete and leader who has worked really hard since he joined the program.”

Biggers, a physical education major at Husson, is one of 30 players from 20 programs to be picked for the New England Writers squad. Team members were honored at the New England Football Writers Banquet on Dec. 14.