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After winning just four of their first 12 games, the University of Maine men’s hockey team began an eight-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory over UMass-Lowell on Nov. 27 at Tsongas Arena.
The No. 15 Black Bears hope to start another run of success this weekend against the River Hawks, who will visit Alfond Arena for a two-game set. Games on Friday and Saturday are scheduled for 7 p.m.
UMaine (14-11-3, 11-8-2 Hockey East) had a four-game unbeaten streak snapped last weekend when they were swept on the road by Boston University, and dropped three spots in this week’s national polls.
The River Hawks (15-13-2, 9-10-2 HE) have lost four of their last five games, but split last weekend with Boston College, who advanced to No. 8 in the national poll. The River Hawks have Hockey East’s stingiest defense, allowing just 2.37 goals per game, but will be challenged by UMaine’s potent offense, which ranks third in the nation and first in Hockey East (3.68 goals per-game).
“We’re going to have to be tight-checking, and make sure that when we have a chance to score, we bury it,” UMaine coach Tim Whitehead said.
Senior defensemen Jeremy Dehner and Nick Schaus are plus-16 and plus-12 in plus / minus to lead Lowell’s defensive corps. Time between the pipes is shared by seniors Carter Hutton and Nevin Hamilton, who have each started more than 50 career games.
“Getting an early goal will definitely be key against these guys,” said UMaine junior defenseman Josh Van Dyk. “You might only put up two or three if you’re lucky.”
The River Hawks have a veteran roster, with 11 seniors and six juniors. Seven of their top eight scorers are upperclassmen. Senior forward Kory Falite leads the team with 26 points, followed by junior Scott Campbell with 25 and sophomore David Vallorani with 23.
“They’re a team that we know is certainly very experienced and ready for a stretch run,” Whitehead said. “We know this will be a tough challenge.”
The River Hawks are not nationally ranked, but trail UMaine by just four points in the Hockey East standings. With three weekends remaining in the regular season, home ice for the playoffs is still up for grabs.
“We definitely want to win the series,” UMaine senior right wing David deKastrozza said. “All points are important.”
Whitehead said Lowell is a dangerous team in transition from defense to offense, and sound defense will be important this weekend.
“We need to get back in defensive position and make sure we’re moving our feet, not reaching with our sticks,” Whitehead said.
The Black Bears surrendered 12 goals between the two games against BU — the most they have allowed in a weekend this season. Both nights they trailed early, and the Terriers pulled away in the third period.
“We just didn’t come to play the first night,” Van Dyk said. “They threw everything at us and played their game, moved the puck well and just seemed to trap us in our zone.”
“BU definitely outworked us,” deKastrozza said.
Saturday’s 5-2 loss was tied at 2-2 into the second intermission, but UMaine gave the Terriers four straight third-period power plays while amassing 34 penalty minutes and allowed a pair of power play goals.
“Penalties cost us,” Van Dyk said. “We can’t give them those opportunities.”
The Black Bears were able to overcome a pair of 2-0 deficits to sweep rival University of New Hampshire the previous weekend at home, but they have trailed in each of their last six games.
“It shouldn’t be something we should worry about,” Van Dyk said. “We should be able to play through it, and it’s something we’re going to have to overcome.”
A bright spot for UMaine at Agganis Arena was junior defenseman and assistant captain Jeff Dimmen, who scored both goals in the losing effort on Saturday after scoring one on Friday. His eight goals are most among UMaine defensemen.
“Jeff’s been great for us all year,” Whitehead said. “He’s a tough competitor that makes plays when pressure’s on.”
Whitehead said freshman defenseman Nick Pryor has been lost for the season as he will have surgery on a torn labrum in his hip. Whitehead is being cautious with injured senior center Brett Carriere and freshman center Matt Mangene, in hopes they will return to the team for the playoffs.
