Vermont Hosts Maine in Hockey East Series at Gutterson Fieldhouse

Vermont men’s hockey enters a high-stakes weekend at Gutterson Fieldhouse, hosting Maine in a two-game Hockey East series that could solidify the Catamounts’ standing at the top of the conference.

The Catamounts, currently sitting in first place in Hockey East with 14 points through six games, face a difficult matchup against a Black Bears squad that entered the season as the seventh selection in the Hockey East Preseason Poll, UVM Athletic reported.

This weekend’s matchups, scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m., come at a time when Vermont has regained national visibility. The program is currently ranked 20th in the USCHO Poll and 18th in the USA Hockey Poll, marking the first time the team has appeared in these rankings since April 10, 2017.

Momentum favors the home team following a dominant weekend where Vermont was named the College Hockey News Team of the Week. That performance, which included taking five of six available points during a series against Boston College, has propelled the team to a 14th place ranking in the NPI.

Junior defenseman Michael Hagens has been a central figure in this surge, earning Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording a goal and four assists during the sweep of BC.

The Battle for Conference Supremacy

While Vermont enters the weekend on a high, the Black Bears bring a formidable presence to Burlington. Maine’s roster features goaltender Albin Boija, who currently leads the NCAA in both shutouts with 12 and wins with 47. Boija carries a 1.78 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage this season, and his history against Vermont is notable; he holds a 4-2-0 career record against the Catamounts.

The offensive pressure from Maine will likely center on a trio of forwards—Tanner Klimpke, Max Scott, and Lee Parks—who are currently tied for the team lead with eight points each. Klimpke and Parks also lead the team in goals with five apiece.

Vermont will need to find ways to penetrate Boija’s net, a task they have managed previously, such as when Max Strand and Daniel Sambuco scored in a 2-1 victory over Boija in Orono on Nov. 15, 2025.

Maine to face Hockey East leader No. 20 Vermont on the road this weekend — WABI | Maine Local News, Weather, Sports

Player/Team Stat	Value/Metric
Vermont Overall Record	5-3-1
Maine Overall Record	5-5-0
Albin Boija (Maine) NCAA Shutouts	12
Albin Boija (Maine) NCAA Wins	47
Michael Hagens (UVM) Point Streak	5 games

Teddy Bear Donations and Veteran Advocacy Support Local Causes

Beyond the tactical matchups on the ice, the weekend serves as a major touchpoint for local community support and veteran services. On Friday, the annual Teddy Bear Toss will take place during the first intermission. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used teddy bears to be donated to the King Street Center, a gesture that turns the sporting event into a vehicle for local charity.

Saturday’s programming shifts focus toward veteran advocacy through the “Can for Coffee” event presented by Keurig. Attendees bringing non-perishable food donations will be eligible for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters or Black Rifle Coffee Company products, while all collected food items will support local veterans and their families in need. This initiative specifically benefits the Josh Pallotta Fund and the Josh’s House Veteran Retreat project.

The series remains a tightly contested chapter in a long-standing rivalry. Although Maine holds a 35-31-9 advantage in the all-time series, Vermont has found recent success, entering the weekend on a two-game winning streak against the Black Bears. Those recent victories included a 2-1 win in November and a 5-3 win on March 7 at the Gut.

The Friday night puck drop is set for 7 p.m., with live coverage available on ESPN+ and local broadcasts on WVMT.

Keep reading