Alfond Arena rink staff re-painted the fading trapezoids behind the goals this week. It was originally put down for a Portland Pirates game held at the rink in December.

Part of the motivation to repaint the lines was as a guide for goalie Ben Bishop (a St. Louis Blues draft pick) who likes to wander from the net to play the puck.

"I told him he's going to have to get used to it eventually in his career," said Maine Coach Tim Whitehead. "Hopefully it will help him play within himself...Anyway we can help him focus on being a puck-stopper."

The trapezoid is used in the American Hockey League and NHL but not in college hockey.

In both the AHL and NHL a goalie cannot play the puck outside of the area without being nabbed for a delay of game penalty. The area begins six feet from either goal post and extends diagonally to points 28 feet apart at the endboards.

Bishop said after Wednesday's practice that he doesn't mind it.

"It's good. I'm going to have to deal with it sooner or later," said Bishop. "It's not like I get a penalty or something if I go outside of it."

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