UMaine perplexed by home struggles Black Bears enjoying more success on road

It has been a strange season to date for the University of Maine men’s hockey team.

The “home cooking” at the Alfond Arena in Orono hasn’t been nearly as tasty as the road fare.

Entering Friday night’s game at Providence College, Maine was 6-1-1 on the road and only 5-4 at home. They have played three neutral-ice games, winning all three.

In Hockey East play, Maine is 3-4 at home and 4-1-1 on the road.

Maine’s 3-4 record represents its worst seven-game home start in Hockey East since the 1993-94 team went 2-4-1.

Last season, Maine was 15-4-1 at home and 8-5-1 on the road. In Hockey East regular-season play, the Bears were 9-4-1 at Alfond Arena and 8-4-1 on the road.

It has left the players perplexed.

“It’s usually the other way around,” said Maine senior right wing Keith Johnson. “It seems like we play better on the road this year. We’re more disciplined. It’s funny. We have one of the better atmospheres around up here but we’ve been playing a little better on the road.

“It’s good to have a winning record on the road,” added Johnson.

Junior defenseman Bret Tyler said, “the past couple of years, we had been unbelievable at home. I don’t know what to say about it. It’s just one of those things. It’s one of those years. I can’t remember when we haven’t played fairly well at home. Maybe we need to refocus a little more when we’re home and get some wins. On the road, it’s easier. Everything is prepared for you, your wake-up calls and your meals.”

Senior left wing Josh Soares said, “I don’t know what to tell you. Our mindset might be a little better on the road. We might be a little more focused. Maybe we take too much for granted at home. We’ve got to be more focused at home and feed off the crowd a little bit more.”

Maine has played a tougher home schedule with nationally-ranked New Hampshire, Boston College and Boston University (2) dealing the Bears their home losses.

Maine senior center and captain Michel Leveille said, “I’d like to have an explanation for it. Alfond Arena is one of the toughest places to play. We have the best home crowd in NCAA hockey. We can’t afford to lose at home.

“It’s disappointing. I feel like we’ve let down the entire state. I’m glad we’ve done well on the road,” added Leveille.

Maine returns home next weekend for a two-game set against former Maine assistant and interim head coach Greg Cronin and his Northeastern University Huskies.