Friday night at 7 PM was the take-off for UNE’s women’s hockey team against Nichols college. This year’s event included a record-breaking attendance for the women’s game, totaling 729 fans in the stands compared to last year’s record of 690.

UNE started off with a deficit due to Nichols’s goal early in the first period, but by the end, #9 Maeve Crehan tied it up. Upon the goal, fans of all ages flung their teddy bears over the glass boards and on the ice. These teddies are then collected and donated to support United Way of Southern Maine. 

Continuing on, the girls took the lead at the end of the first period, with #23 Carolyn Curley scoring UNE’s second goal of the night. Maintaining their lead until the third period, Nichols tied it up. Leaving both teams to head into overtime, where UNE took a hard 3-2 loss.

On Saturday night at 7 PM, men’s hockey took the stage against Nichols. Similar to the night before, there was a record-breaking number of 1,370 fans in attendance to support UNE. The crowd clutched their bears in anticipation as Nichols took a two-goal lead in the first period.

Luckily, at the halfway mark of the second period, #13 Ryan Kuzmich tipped the puck into the net. The men’s team carried on with their electric playing abilities and defeated Nichols in a 6-2 victory. 

Overall, 3,400 teddy bears were tossed and donated over the weekend. This highlighted event ended in both success and celebration for Nor’easter Nation.