BOSTON – The fun and hype of Frozen Fenway is over. The University of Maine hockey team was to bus back up I-95 to Orono after Saturday night’s 5-4 overtime victory against New Hampshire.

While the publicity focused on an ice rink in Fenway Park on Saturday night, the biggest part of the Black Bears’ schedule will be played over the next three weekends.

The remaining six games in January — divided into three two-game series — could decide Maine’s fortunes this season. The Black Bears play the top three teams in Hockey East.

First, a two-game series at Merrimack.

Next, a two-game home series vs. Boston College.

Then, a two-game series at Boston University.

Merrimack (11-4-3, 7-3-1) was once 9-0-1 (including a season-opening 2-1 win over Maine) and ranked No. 1 in the national polls. Since, the Warriors are 2-4-2, including a 4-2 loss at Boston University on Friday.

Merrimack also has to play at Boston College this afternoon.

Boston College also once held the top national ranking. The Eagles (13-7, 9-4) have played well all season, except for a 5-0 loss to BU (one of two losses to the Terriers).

BC beat Maine 5-1 on Nov. 4. The Eagles have used freshman goalie Brian Billett (2.02 goals-against average) of Kennebunk in five of their last seven games.

Boston University (11-6-2, 9-4-1) leads the league, but the Terriers need to replace two top centers. One was Charlie Coyle who is leaving school to join the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The other center, Corey Trivino, was kicked out of school after being arrested on several counts of assault on campus.

VERMONT COACH Kevin Sneddon has noticed Maine’s improved play. He said goalie Dan Sullivan is gearing up for a strong run in the second half, and the Black Bears’ top line of Spencer Abbott, Brian Flynn and Joey Diamond “is arguably the best line in college hockey right now.”

ABBOTT keeps garnering honors for his stellar play in December. Initially named the Hockey East Player of the Month, Abbott was also named the National Player of the Month by the Hockey Commissioners’ Association.

Abbott totaled six goals and nine assists in five games.

THE ICE WILL remain in Fenway for another week with a plethora of games and events, including a unique high school/college doubleheader next Saturday. Boston College High School will play Catholic Memorial at 1 p.m., followed by Boston College and Northeastern at 4 p.m.

IN THE FIRST game of the Frozen Fenway, Michael Marcou scored a power-play goal with 23 seconds left in overtime to lead UMass to a 3-2 win over Vermont.

The temperature at the start of the first game was 58.

The announced paid attendance for the doubleheader was a sellout at 38,456.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: KevinThomasPPH

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