The Black Bears play their last pair of home games this weekend before Christmas break, and this will be their last organized ice time until Dec. 25, when the team meets for a morning skate before leaving for Estero, Florida, for the Florida College Classic tournament.

"With exams, the ice will be open, so you try to get on it as much as you can," Maine defenseman Will O'Neill said. "This is the best time to get some rest."

Now as far as all of the indulgences of the holidays?

"I'm a little worried about that," O'Neill admitted, laughing. "Getting too much pie and cake into you, it can be a problem. I'll limit myself to a couple pieces."

Maine center Chris Hahn will fly home next Wednesday, leaving Boston and flying through Toronto to get to Regina, Saskatchewan.

"There's definitely a challenge, staying focused," Hahn said. "You show up in Florida after being home for a week, and guys are going to have to take it upon themselves to stay focused."

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If you want a little pre-game reading, here's a story on Union center Mario Valery-Trabucco, courtesy of the Albany Times-Union. Valery-Trabucco, a Montreal resident who was born in Venezuela, is Union's second leading scorer with three goals and six assists.

And if you're a New Jersey Devils fan, there's a familiar name in the Union lineup. Kelly Zajac is the younger brother of New Jersey center Travis Zajac.

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If you've got tickets for Maine's game against the United States U-18 team Jan. 2 at the Cumberland County Civic Center, double-check the location listed on the ticket. Season-ticket holders originally were sent tickets for the game that were printed with "Alfond Arena" and not the CCCC. Re-printed tickets already have been mailed to season-ticket holders.

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The lineup is a bit juggled for tonight. Chris Hahn will center Maine's top line, but will have new linemates - Robby Dee and Kyle Solomon. Also, Jeff Marshall will have his fifth linemate this season in Theo Andersson.

Scratches for tonight's game for Maine:
Spencer Abbott, freshman forward
Mark Nemec, freshman defense (Nemec has yet to play in a game this season)
Glenn Belmore, sophomore forward
Nick Payson, redshirt freshman forward
Kevin Swallow, junior forward
Ryan Hegarty, freshman defenseman (This is the second game in a row Hegarty has been scratched)

One notable returnee to tonight's lineup is freshman forward Andersson, who is playing in his first game since Nov. 1. Andersson has missed the past eight games.

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