It’s been a tough start to the year for the University of Maine men’s hockey team. Between eight game postponements and a 1-4-1 record, the Black Bears are looking to find some traction. Forward Jack Quinlivan and Maine captain is optimistic.

“This team is very resilient,” the senior said. “We’ve been down a couple of goals for a few games and guys have found ways to score and come back and we’ll eventually get the results we want.”

With the uncertain schedule, it’s tough to stay focused, but Quinlivan and his teammates have worked hard to adapt to their circumstances.

“It’s been tough looking ahead and trying to predict what can happen,” Quinlivan said. “I think the best way to go about your day is to just worry about what’s in front of you and what you have to do that day.”

He hopes his team can use its response to the hardship as motivation on the ice. ”

I’m proud of the way these guys have fought all year to try and at least play a season,” Quinlivan said. “I think all of that adversity we’ve faced is going to help us in the long run when we’re playing an opponent in a tough game.”

Although the Black Bears sit eighth in the Hockey East right now, Quinlivan believes his team can be a threat come tournament time.

“I’m very confident with this team,” he said. “We have a lot of returners and a lot of new guys who have stepped into huge roles, it’s just putting it together. It’s a short season so we have to start ramping it up and I think we’ve taken strides each game to get better.”

The best team in the regular season doesn’t always win the conference tournament. It’s only happened once in the past three Hockey East playoffs and winning a championship is all about keeping your eyes on the prize. “This team has championship aspirations,” Quinlivan said. “If you don’t, why are you playing?”

It hasn’t been all bad for the Shrewsbury, Massachusetts native. Quinlivan was named the Black Bears’ captain before the season began.

“It’s very humbling,” Quinlivan said. “It’s awesome to be a part of this group and have such great teammates vote me as captain at such a historic program, too, I’m very grateful for it.”

His new role will help enhance his legacy at the University of Maine. “I want to be remembered as a teammate who cared about the guy next to him,” Quinlivan said. “I’m not really for myself, I put those guys in front of myself. I pride myself on that and being a team player.”

He wants to make sure his contributions create great Maine teams for years to come.

“Helping give this team the right culture they need to head in the right direction moving forward,” Quinlivan said. “Being a guy who helped out with the culture here, a winning culture. That’s something I’d like to be remembered as.”

Although Maine is already a month removed from its first game, today will be the first home game when the Black Bears welcome in No. 16 Providence. It will be the first time in Quinlivan’s collegiate career playing without fans.

“Alfond Arena is the best place to play in college,” he said. “You get the whole town of Orono out to those games and the students. We’re going to miss everyone, the band especially. It brings a whole different vibe.”

It’s another challenge that the Black Bears have had to overcome this season, but Jack Quinlivan and Maine were once again ready for it.

“We’ve been trying to focus on creating our own energy on the bench because we don’t have a crowd to feed off,” Quinlivan said.

John Smark