Hockey East final: Maine, UConn seek crowning achievement for building programs

Tonight, UConn and Maine will clash for the Hockey East championship.

And while there are no NCAA tournament implications in this game — both teams are in the top six in the country and therefore assured an appearance, win or lose — there is a trophy on the line that would mean a lot to both schools.

UConn has never won the Hockey East title, a conference it joined 11 years ago. Maine hasn't been to a Hockey East championship game since 2012, and hasn't won one since 2004. Both program spent a long time in the wilderness, not being particularly competitive, but new circumstances have brought both into serious and sustainable contention.

In the past several seasons, UConn has been building a winning tradition, with multiple top-four finishes in Hockey East, developed a growing number of NHL pl