ORONO – So far so good.

That’s how the University of Maine’s hockey team players view their 5-1 start as they begin Hockey East play on the road against Boston College and UMass this weekend.

Two of those wins came over defending two-time NCAA champ Denver and Maine has held its opponents to two goals or less in all but one game, the 3-2 overtime loss at Colorado College.

“If you had told us [before the season] we’d be 5-1 after the first six games, we would have taken it,” said senior defenseman Steve Mullin. “I wish we had gotten that extra goal to be 6-0.”

Junior left wing Josh Soares said, “We’re happy with the way we’ve played. Being 5-1 will give us some confidence going into conference play.”

Senior right wing and captain Greg Moore said the team showed “character” in pulling together to grind out some “important wins.

“I think the overall feeling of the team is really good. We’re real confident in the way we’re playing,” said Moore. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We still have a lot to develop. But we are where we want to be starting Hockey East play this weekend.”

The goaltending of freshman Ben Bishop (3-1, 1.73 goals-against average, .929 save percentage) and sophomore Matt Lundin (2-0, 0.50, .971) has been a pleasant surprise as they attempt to fill the shoes of record-setting Jimmy Howard.

“It was real important for Lundin to have such a good game this weekend,” said Moore, referring to his 22-save 4-0 shutout win over Alabama-Huntsville. “He really proved to the team that we have two goaltenders who can get the job done and we don’t have to rely on just one guy.”

“They’re a little ahead of the curve,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “It’s great to see those guys fast-tracking their development to help our team. That’s not to say they won’t have their ups and downs. But I’m very encouraged by their start.”

Maine is third in the nation in penalty-killing efficiency (34-for-35 .971); tied for ninth in goals-against average (1.33); 10th in power play efficiency (22.5) and 12th in goals (3.50 per game).

Mullin said the Bears’ depth has been an important ingredient in their success to date.

“When you have so many guys who can come in and do the job, it keeps everybody sharp,” said Mullin. “It pushes everybody and makes everybody work that much harder to make themselves that much better.”

Maine’s depth will be tested this weekend as junior right wing Keith Johnson will be out and junior defenseman Mike Lundin is doubtful. Both have shoulder injuries.

Blue-White basketball set Sunday

The University of Maine men’s and women’s basketball teams will take to the court publicly for the first time Sunday as part of the annual Blue-White scrimmages and FanFest.

The event, which is free to the public, is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Alfond Arena in Orono. Doors open at 3 p.m.

Coach Ted Woodward’s Black Bear men’s squad will open the program with a split-squad scrimmage and the women’s team headed by first-year coach Ann McInerney will conduct a scrimmage at approximately 4:30.

The FanFest will feature the opportunity for a UMaine student to win a $10,000 prize in a shooting contest. There also will be a 3-point shootout and other games, along with a performance by the Black Bear cheerleaders.

The men’s team is gearing up for a Nov. 3 home exhibition game against Cape Breton, while the women’s ballclub makes its exhibition debut with a Nov. 7 home game against New Brunswick.

UMaine slates ‘Hometown Days’

The UMaine athletic department is planning “Hometown Days” for its home football games Oct. 29 against Delaware and Nov. 12 with Rhode Island at Alfond Stadium in Orono.

As part of the promotion, students who live in the hometowns of the 13 Black Bear players who hail from Maine can purchase tickets for $5 for groups of 15 or more.

Such groups will have the chance to meet their hometown players, have pictures taken with them, and get autographs.

Among the UMaine players from eastern and central Maine are Joe Vanidestine of Bangor, Josh Caldwell of Brewer, Justin Knox of Rome (Messalonskee High School), Derek Runnels of Vassalboro (Winslow HS) and Ben McPherson of China (Winslow).

For information, contact the UMaine athletic marketing office at 581-1086.