Nothing to do?

The possibilities are limited only by your imagination!

Contrary to what may be popular opinion outside of the Greater Bangor area, this area is not an entertainment wasteland.

In its recent expose on sports in Maine, Sports Illustrated named Portland as the state’s number one sports town. The magazine cited the city for its numerous recreational programs and its “unique relationships” with the Portland Sea Dogs and Portland Pirates, Maine’s minor league baseball and hockey teams.

But those here in Bangor know better. You’re just as likely to see a future NHL player at a UMaine hockey game as you are at a Portland Pirates game. And Black Bear games are a lot more fun!

In this first installment of “Nothing to do?,” bangorinfo.com takes a look at the top-notch sporting events to choose from in what people in the Portland area erroneously consider “Northern Maine.”

Future installments will look at recreational and fine-arts entertainment opportunities in Maine’s third-largest city.

UMaine hockey

When the late Shawn Walsh took over the University of Maine’s men’s hockey program in the mid-1980s, he started a dynasty that will endure with his legacy. Even if you don’t like hockey, attending a UMaine game is a must-do, if for no other reason than to experience the electricity of the crowd. The Black Bears’ home, Alfond Arena, seats only 5,500, but the noise is often deafening, making it one of the most feared rinks to play in for opposing teams. UMaine hockey games are not just for college students – people of all ages show up. You will notice an exciting buzz in the air from the second you pass through the doors that culminates in 2 ½ hours of pure energy that bounces off the peaks and valleys of Alfond’s unique wooden roof. Heck, the roof is worth attending to see; it makes you feel as though you’re watching a game in a ski lodge. All that’s missing is a fireplace.

UMaine won national championships in 1993 and 1999 and has appeared in the Frozen Four 12 times since the late-1980s. The program has seen two Hobey Baker Award recipients (Scott Pellerin and Paul Kariya), numerous Hobey Baker nominees, and future NHL players Kariya, Eric Weinrich, Garth Snow, Mike Dunham and many others skate on the ice.

Available single-game tickets go on sale one hour before game time.

Reserved and standing room: $17 regular season, $19 Hockey East quarterfinals

For ticket information, call (800) 756-TEAM (toll free within Maine), (207) 581-BEAR or visit www.goblackbears.com.

UMaine women’s basketball

The UMaine women’s basketball team has dominated its conference opponents for more than a decade, racking up numerous regular season and conference tournament championships. The Black Bears made six consecutive trips to the NCAA Division I tournament from 1995 through 2000. In the 1999 tournament, the Black Bears upset Stanford 60-58 to advance to the round of 32, where they lost 72-62 to Old Dominion. In 2000, the Black Bears lost 62-57 to North Carolina.

A large portion of the roster regularly comprises Mainers. Two Black Bears went on to play in the WNBA. Cindy Blodgett, who is sixth on the Division I career all-time scoring list, played for the Cleveland Rockers and Sacramento Monarchs. Jamie Cassidy played for the Miami Sol.

The Black Bears play their home games at Alfond Arena.

General admission tickets are $8.

For ticket information, call (800) 756-TEAM (toll free within Maine), (207) 581-BEAR or visit www.goblackbears.com.

UMaine men’s basketball

Often overlooked by fans who favor the traditional excellence of the women’s team, the UMaine men’s basketball team puts on a good show, too. The Black Bears almost made it to the NCAA Division I tournament in 1994, losing 86-78 in the conference championship game to Drexel, and in 2002, losing in the conference championship to Boston University.

Despite constant success during the regular season under head coach John Giannini, the Black Bears just haven’t been able to get over the hump. But this is no reason not to catch a game at Alfond, where the Black Bears always play well. The university’s athletics department works hard to come up with time-out and halftime contests. In the past, these contests have included shooting foul shots from a recliner for a chance to win furniture, shooting contests to win various prizes based on the difficulty of the shots made and a miniature slam dunk competition for young children.

General admission tickets are $8.

For ticket information, call (800) 756-TEAM (toll free within Maine), (207) 581-BEAR or visit www.goblackbears.com.

UMaine cheerleaders

They’re not just perky and cute – these gals (and guys) can perform. Comprising about 16 girls and guys, the Black Bears cheerleading squad does a splendid job of energizing a basketball crowd on what would otherwise be a dreary, arctic-cold, mid-winter evening or afternoon outside of Alfond Arena. After each three-point field goal by a UMaine player, two cheerleaders toss free T-shirts into the stands. During timeouts, the squad performs the usual routines, but the basket toss is a sight to see as the men launch one of the gals 15-20 feet into the air for a back-breaking flip or dizzying head-over-heels spin.

Each spring, the squad competes in a national competition in Florida. Last year’s squad finished ninth in the nation in its category. Previous squads have finished as high as second nationally.

UMaine hockey

No, this is not an editorial mistake. “UMaine hockey” this time refers to the UMaine women’s team.

Elevated to varsity status from being a club seven years ago, the UMaine women’s hockey team plays in Hockey East. Checking is against the rules, but the games are much quicker without it. Former UMaine player Raffi Wolf played for her home country, Germany, in the 2000 Olympics.

Not only will you see some top-notch women hockey players if you attend a game at Alfond, but admission is free. And because attendance is sparse (which is unfortunate), you can pretty much sit anywhere you want. (That means excellent parking, too.) The concession stand is open, making this the most inexpensive sporting outing you can have. A bit of advice, though: Fewer people means a lower temperature, so bring some light mittens or gloves if you become cold easily. But it is by no means uncomfortable.

Remaining home games for the 2003-04 season are at noon, Feb. 14 against nationally ranked University of New Hampshire; 4 p.m., Feb. 27 and noon, Feb. 28 against Boston College.

High school basketball tournaments

Since 1956, thousands of high school basketball fans have flocked to the Bangor Auditorium for the Eastern Maine High School basketball tournaments. The B, C and D classes hold their boys and girls tournaments in mid-February during school vacation while the Class A schools hold their tournaments at the end of the month.

Even if your town’s school isn’t playing or even if you don’t know any of the players, the atmosphere generated by this long-standing tradition is worth experiencing. Players, cheerleaders and pep bands dream of playing and performing in front of the largest crowds they will ever see. Maine Public Television broadcasts each tournament beginning with the semifinal rounds, but the often drab play-by-play and color announcers can’t even begin to give viewers a taste of the Auditorium’s tournament flavor. And what an addicting flavor it is. On some nights the concession stand would make a pretty buck or two selling ear plugs.

A day at the Auditorium at tourney time is an interesting sociological study into the dynamics of the camaraderie that exists within small-town Maine. You might even see the next homegrown star of the UMaine women’s team...

Admission: $7 for adults per session; $4 for students per session.