Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Digg
Tell us what you think!Send a letter to the editor about this or any other article in The Maine Campus.
ST. LOUIS – By now, the routine is way too familiar for University of Maine forward Keith Johnson. The buzzer sounds, the arena clears, and then the questions begin.
They come from not just his teammates or himself, but from the media – all 300 of them. In one moment there’s ESPN in your ear and then in another there’s the Boston Globe asking for some explanation.
For Johnson and his fellow seniors, they are questions and answers they are tired of giving.
Still, he soldiers on. He has to.
This is his life – the life of a player of who has gone to college hockey’s biggest stage three times and come back empty-handed each time.
On Thursday, after watching his Black Bears lose in the Frozen Four for the third time in four years – all of which he took part in as a steady contributor – Johnson handles the tired and old questions not just like a pro but with maturity.
He doesn’t make excuses and he doesn’t hide from the press. He faces them head on. After all, this isn’t Johnson’s first rodeo. He’s been saddled with these questions before – in Wisconsin after last year’s National Semifinal defeat and in 2004 for the title game against Denver. But this is tougher, heartbreakingly tougher. For Johnson, this is it. In May, he will graduate from UMaine and leave the program for good.
“It’s tough, it’s bitter and it’s going to sting for awhile,” said Johnson. “This is not how we wanted to go out. This year we felt like this was going to finally be the year we brought back the title. But that’s life sometimes.”
The consummate gentleman, Johnson has said it all before and in his words, there is an eerie familiarity.
“Anytime you lose to end your season, it’s a bad feeling,” said Johnson. “This though might be the toughest because it’s the last game that I’ll ever wear the jersey. This is right up there.”
The Black Bears ended the season two wins shy of the National Championship not because of anything Johnson did or didn’t do. In fact, Johnson did everything but steal goalie Jeff Lerg’s skates in order for his squad to win. But should Black Bear nation be surprised?
Thursday’s performance for the Connecticut native and speedy forward was exactly what UMaine fans had come to expect from Johnson – great forechecking, undeniable speed and unquestionable heart. However, it is performances like these that some have come to take for granted with Johnson. With classmates like Michel Leveille, Josh Soares and Mike Lundin often stealing the limelight, Johnson has assumed the role of trusted sidekick for the Black Bears while scoring 10 goals and 13 assists this year. Most of the time, it’s a role which Johnson occupies just perfectly. With guys like Leveille and Soares attracting the headlines, Johnson is more than comfortable with the second in command title.
Thursday, that wasn’t the case.
Instead, while playing in his last game for UMaine, Johnson wanted something more. He wanted to be the star. And he was.
“Keith was flying all night, getting pucks, hitting pucks; he was unbelievable for us tonight,” said defenseman Bret Tyler.
Not willing to call it quits, Johnson quickly became the player to watch in the Frozen Four bout.
“Keith came out of the gates firing and showing us what he is all about,” said Purcell.
For those who have come to know Keith and cherish his never-say-die attitude, it was the type of performance they expected from him come tourney time.
“Keith Johnson has been a workhorse all of his four years here,” said Bishop. “You don’t see his name on the front page of a newspaper that often but he is the guy who keeps this team together.”
The first goal of the game, which came on a typical fast-moving UMaine senior play, Johnson slammed home a one-timer 23 seconds in the contest. After receiving a beauty of a pass from Soares, Johnson directed it by Lerg’s right pad and into the net.
“That was our game plan going in, we wanted to get on them early – dump the puck in, forecheck, get on their defensemen,” said Johnson.
Shortly after, at 3:24 of the first period, Soares got one of his own and the Black Bears were up by two.
“The first five minutes we’re up 2-0 and everything is going well,” said Johnson.
But like the Black Bears have seen all year, the game is not over till the final whistle blows.
“It was a 2-2 game headed into the third, you couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Johnson. “They capitalized on plays and they played a better third period than us.”
“They’re moving on; they deserved to win.”
Even though Johnson was quick to point out after the game that there were no moral victories, he has to be pleased with his own performance; even if it’s in the back of his mind.
“He played real well for us and that’s how our seniors have handled themselves all year. They are all leaders and you can’t say enough good things about them,” said Purcell.
Johnson is now set to leave a team that has gone to the Frozen Four more frequently than Sports Illustrated.
“There are a lot of guys in college hockey who can’t say they’ve been to three Frozen Fours,” said Johnson. “Even though we didn’t win one, in a couple weeks I think we will reflect on it and realize what a truly special group this was.”
For those who have come to watch and enjoy Johnson, Thursday’s finale was a perfect sendoff for a sidekick who never managed to garner the headlines he so richly deserved.
Bangor Daily News