After two forgettable seasons for the Bobcats, the ice hockey team was chaoping at the bit to recover its past glory.
A mostly veteran lineup returned and while the defense had to be remade, the forward contingent was the same that led the turnaround at the end of the previous season.
Lou Foster centered Howard White and team captain Al Lane with all three expected to continue their scoring exploits.
With no experienced goaltender on the team, coach Wiggin turned to Manny Palmer in goal and hoped that the new recruit would hold up under pressure.
The offense for Bates was apparent, however, the opposing goaltender played a masterful game and only allowed a single goal to the Garnet.
Bates then stormed back with 6 goals, the final with only a few minutes remaining, to take the game and send their old foes packing.
That game seemed to be the turning point of the season and the Garnet began to show a greater level of teamwork than they had previously.
After playing in a swamp against the Aggies, Bates put up solid performances in games against St. Dominique's and their alumni squad and the team was looking good as they headed into the exam break.
The team tried to convince the Polar Bears to let the exhibition game stand as an official match but Bowdoin declined and insisted a true rematch be held instead.