Sports

UMaine’s Flynn quietly joins 100-point club

Junior forward for men’s hockey team is having stellar year for the Black Bears up top

Posted on Feb. 23, 2011, at 11:28 p.m.

Amy Brooks

Junior forward Brian Flynn recently joined the 100-point club.

When University of Maine men’s hockey coach Tim Whitehead was asked who has stepped up during this slew of injuries, he said, “Our best players over the last two weeks have been our juniors and seniors. They’ve really elevated their level of play.”

Perhaps the largest contributor of those juniors and seniors Whitehead was referring to has been junior Brian Flynn. The forward out of Lynnfield, Mass., has been spectacular when the Black Bears need it most.

While playing teams ranked in the top three, Flynn has scored five times, including three against then No. 2 University of North Dakota, one against then-No. 3 University of New Hampshire and one against No. 3 Boston College.

It hasn’t been just against top teams that Flynn has stepped up; it’s been in tough moments. After the heartbreaking home loss to UNH, it was Flynn’s hat trick that was the difference in the victory over the University of Massachusetts two days later. Flynn also scored the overtime winner against Providence College in addition to a goal in regulation.

“As the season goes on, you get a little more comfortable,” Flynn said. “You get some more confidence and feel like you have that extra split second on the ice to make plays, which makes it a lot easier.”

This weekend, Flynn joined a prestigious fraternity when he joined the 100-point club for UMaine. After scoring two goals at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Friday night, Flynn set up junior forward Gustav Nyquist to capture his 100th point. Minutes later, fellow line-mate, senior center Tanner House joined him in the club, making it a perfect three-for-three in the 100-point club for UMaine’s top line.

“As you come down the home stretch you kind of solidify your lines,” Flynn said. “You get comfortable with some guys. There all good players and it’s easy to play with all of them.”

It appears the game does slow down a bit for Flynn, as he currently leads the Black Bears with 16 goals.

Flynn is a product of Lynnfield, just outside of Boston. He gained interest in hockey at a young age.

“It started when I was 3,” Flynn said. “I had a lot of older cousins that were into it, so that’s what got me into it.”

Traditionally, Flynn grew up a Boston Bruins fan, frequently visiting the city to watch the black and yellow play.

“I used to go to them, watch them on TV every night with my dad; it was nice,” he said.

Growing up in such a dense area of college hockey, Flynn decided to see what else New England had to offer.

“I wanted to come to a winning school with a tradition,” Flynn said. “A place where you could compete for some trophies every year and play in this rink in front of the fans.”

When asked why he didn’t stay in the rich Beanpot hockey tradition of Boston, Flynn downplayed it.

“There were some others, but as far as BU or BC schools were concerned, they weren’t interested,” Flynn said. “Out of all the schools, Maine was the top choice.”

It wouldn’t be surprising if BU or BC were cursing themselves now.

It’s hard to see Flynn doing anything other than skating around in front of the Alfond fans, but according to the junior, he would be down south with a different type of stick.

“I’d probably be somewhere down south, playing some golf,” he said. “I played a lot growing up in the summer.”

Not only has Flynn been contributing on the scoreboard, he’s been the most durable Black Bear in recent memory, playing in a Favre-esque 98 consecutive games.

“I missed my second game my freshman year,” Flynn said. “That’s all I’ve missed.”

When asked why he’s been so imperishable, Flynn laughed it off.

“Maybe I’m not that physical, I’m not sure,” Flynn said. “I’ve been pretty fortunate I haven’t really had a serious injury. I’m in pretty good shape I think, I try to take care of myself off the ice. Getting to bed at a reasonable time, eating right, things like that.”

Although Flynn may try to hit the hay early, he has opposing coaches losing sleep trying to figure out how to slow him down.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011, 11:28 pm. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.