The UMaine Black Bears will have their hands full when they host the 2015 Ice Breaker Tournament at Cross Arena in Portland.

Coach Red Gendron's Bears take on #24 Michigan State Friday at 8pm. #4 North Dakota is the opponent Saturday night at 8PM.

Note: Maine coach Red Gendron joins the Morning Pitch Show on Sports Radio 92.9 The Ticket tomorrow morning at 7:20am to talk Ice Breaker.

 2015 Ice Breaker Tournament Schedule
Friday October 9th
University of Maine vs Michigan State at 8:00pm
Lake Superior State vs North Dakota at 4:30pm

Saturday October 10th
University of Maine vs North Dakota at 8:00pm
Lake Superior State vs Michigan State at 4:30pm

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 1: Michigan State University Spartans head coach Ron Mason speaks to his team during a break in the action in a NCAA Frozen Four game against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats at the Arrowhead Pond on April 1, 1999 in Anaheim, California. The Wildcats won 5-3. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 1: Michigan State University Spartans head coach Ron Mason speaks to his team during a break in the action in a NCAA Frozen Four game against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats at the Arrowhead Pond on April 1, 1999 in Anaheim, California. The Wildcats won 5-3. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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There is a strong connection between the UMaine and Michigan State hockey programs. The late Shawn Walsh coached Maine while his father-in-law, Ron Mason coached the Spartans. Travis Walsh, Shawn's son and Ron Mason's grandson is a senior on this year's Michigan State team.

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 09: Brendan O'Donnell #21 of the North Dakota skates against the Boston University Terriers during the first period of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Championship semifinals at TD Garden on April 9, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 09: Brendan O'Donnell #21 of the North Dakota skates against the Boston University Terriers during the first period of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Championship semifinals at TD Garden on April 9, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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The #4 North Dakota team plays this weekend under new head coach Brad Berry. Dave Hakstol left UND to become the head coach of the NHL Philadelphia Flyers. Hakstol led UND to the Frozen Four a year ago.

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