Sports

Hockey hits road to face rival Eagles

By Matthew Conyers

Posted on Oct. 27, 2005, at 12:00 a.m.

steven knapp

BREAK AWAY - Senior Derek Damon streaks down the right wing boards as head coach Tim Whitehead looks on from the visitor´s bench during men´s ice hockey practice at Alfond Arena on Wednesday afternoon.

Please hold off on the introductions.

They’re not needed.

In fact, they would be downright comical. This isn’t their first rodeo. Nor is it their second, third or fourth.

The University of Maine men’s ice hockey program knows Boston College. They know them like Peter Pan knows captain Hook. Like the Red Sox remember the Yankees. And of course, like Superman despises Lex Luthor. This is nothing new.

National Spotlight. Marquee matchups across the board. Sold-out arena. Oh yes, the sight of these squads together is undoubtedly familiar.

Officially, Friday night’s engagement marks the 88th time these two illustrious programs have gone toe-to-toe. Never short on storylines, the duel is the first match since last season’s epic double overtime decision.

“It’s a great rivalry,” said Whitehead. “Boston College and UMaine have played a lot of big games over the years. Most recently they beat us 2-1 in double overtime in the Hockey East tournament. The year before we beat them 2-1 at the Fleet Center in the Frozen Four, so we’ve traded some good punches over the years.”

The game, which stands as the Black Bear’s first departure from Orono in two weeks, promises to weigh heavily on the national scene. UMaine enters the road match ranked fifth in both the USCHO-CSTV and the USA Today-USA Hockey Magazine poll, while Boston College is ranked eight in the USCHO-CSTV poll and the 10th in the other. As well, the return to Conte Forum is the first since the Black Bears watched the Eagles win the Hockey East regular season championship after a 2-2 stalemate last season.

The game stands as the Black Bears Hockey East opener.

“We are excited for Hockey East to start,” said captain Greg Moore. “We are a bit more focused on getting Hockey East underway and getting some points. ”

The league competition will continue the next night in Amherst, Mass., with another familiar face, the University of Massachussetts. The Minutemen are no pushover in the rivalry department either. The Black Bears have faced UMass-Amherst in two of the last four Hockey East tournaments. With each going down in Black Bear lore.

The Minuteman are currently 1-2-0, while the Eagles are 1-1-1. UMaine on the other hand is an impressive 5-1-0 on the young season. The Black Bears, coming off two-straight home sweeps this year, hope to extend their current four-game win streak with the road slate.

“We are not under the microscope like we were before the season, when everyone thought it was going to be a tough year for us,” said Whitehead. “We’ve re-established ourselves.”

Whitehead believes the challenge of a tight road game is one the Black Bears are ready for.

“We would love to play our entire season here because we have such a great home ice advantage, but its going to be a great challenge for us to go on the road,” said Whitehead. “We’re excited.”

Both opponents return to the Black Bear schedule polar opposites from what they were last season. BC graduated 10 seniors from last year’s squad and boasts a bigger, more defensive laden team, while the Minuteman have undergone a youth movement.

“There has been a lot of turnover in all three teams,” said Whitehead. “All three teams are excited about what they have, I certainly know we are.”

Leading the youth movement on Chestnut Hill is sophomore Cory Schneider. The talented netminder has played in all three games and has a 3.26 goals against average and .896 save percentage. He was 13-1-4 last season.

“I know they will be pumped up and ready to go,” said Whitehead. “It’s their Hockey East home opener, so obviously they feel they have a good home ice advantage too.”

UMass-Amherst, however, is lead in net by Gabe Winer. Having played in two games, Winer posts a 2.53 goals against average and .934 save percentage.

The Black Bears will touch the ice at Conte Forum with their own youth movement rolling around.

UMaine is currently lead by a goalie tandem of sophomore Matt Lundin and freshman Ben Bishop.

With both underclassmen having shined early on, Whitehead feels the need to split time between each goalie.

“This weekend you can expect to see both goalies because they are both playing very well,” said Whitehead. “As far as the order we will determine it on Friday..”

Bishop stands at 3-1-0 with a .929 save percentage and a 1.73 goals against average. Lundin, who is coming off his first collegiate shutout last weekend against Alabama-Huntsville has .500 goals against average and a .971 save percentage

The Black Bears will change up a few lines, with Mike Lundin and Keith Johnson likely sitting out because of shoulder injuries.

UMaine’s power play enters the series excelling at 22 percent conversion rate.

“Our special team is a little bit ahead of where we thought it would be,” said Whitehead.

Both games start at 7 p.m.

“We think we can do something this year but now we’ve got to prove we can do it consistently,” said Whitehead.

Coach’s Corner

UMaine men’s ice hockey coach Tim Whitehead shares some of his team’s focuses for the upcoming weekend

1 Continued success on the power play and penalty kill.

“I think continuing to be really strong on special teams will be a key, no question.”

2 Drawing first blood

“Secondly, for us striking first will be important. Getting the first goal will be a step up. It won’t determine the outcome, but it would be great to get the first goal on the road.”

3 Staying disciplined and keeping focused

“Our discipline and focus is going to be very important. We’re on the road and we have to make sure we stick to our game plan.”

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