BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- It's not often the Maine Hockey team gets a chance to do much outside of practice, classes and homework - especially during the season. But on Tuesday, the Black Bears decided to take a time out from the rigors of school and the ice to make some new friends at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
The team got involved with the Pediatric Department at EMMC, thanks to an invitation from the sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi and the Children's Miracle Network.
Players got to meet patients like 6-year old Sophia Nelson from Lincoln, who was hit by a school bus nearly one month ago. Needless to say, she was ecstatic to have some special visitors after being cooped up in her hospital room.
"[My friends] are going to be very jealous!" she says.
Many players, like senior captain Will O'Neill, say it was a rewarding experience to spend the afternoon with the kids because it put their own lives in perspective.
"We came in here to give back and hopefully lighten up a kid's day and make a kid's day or month or week or whatever it is," he says, "So I'm glad I got ther experience to come in here and meet with a few kids."
Sophomore forward Jon Swavely agrees. "It puts everything in perspective, with our everyday lives, our busy lives," he says, "Whenever we think something's bad or going wrong we just should think of kids like this who would love to be in the shoes we're in."
The Black Bears head on the road on Thursday for two games. Maine plays Providence on Friday and UMass-Lowell on Saturday.
NEWS CENTER