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.
With just one game in the next 19 days, the University of Maine men’s hockey team hopes to stay hot as they head into the holidays, with a showdown against No. 11 Boston University on Saturday.
The 6-6-2 Black Bears will host the 8-5-1 Terriers in BU’s only trip to the Alfond Arena this season.
UMaine was winless last season against the Terriers, tying twice and losing a 4-3 at the Alfond.
“They’re a very talented team,” said UMaine head coach Tim Whitehead. “They’ve got guys at all positions, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. We know we can play with them; we know they’re talented, but we’re not afraid of them.”
The Terriers have won five of their last six games, their lone loss coming int the split of a home-and-home with No. 3 Boston College.
The Black Bears are on a streak of their own, as they are unbeaten in their last four games, including a sweep at the University of Vermont last weekend.
“We were pleased with the results; it’s always good to climb up the standings,” Whitehead said. “We found a way to win both nights and move ourselves back into contention.”
The Black Bears were aided by a strong first-line effort, led by senior forward Spencer Abbott. Abbott has at least a point in the last five games, including five goals and four assists against the Catamounts, earning Hockey East Player of the Week honors in the process.
Other first-line starters — senior center Brian Flynn and junior forward Joey Diamond — added 10 points collectively over the weekend.
Abbott’s total of 23 points is good for eighth in the country.
“They’ve done a great job of re-establishing our team identity and focus, and are finding a way to win games that are up for grabs,” Whitehead said.
The Terriers are led by sophomore forward Matt Nieto, who has eight goals and eight assists on the season. Senior forward Corey Trivino adds 10 goals and four assists, while four other players have at least 10 points each.
The Terriers’ biggest strength is goaltending, where senior Kieran Millan gives BU stability, stopping 91 percent of shots with two shutouts this season.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to keep the train moving in the right direction and to continue building momentum heading into the second half of the season,” Whitehead said. “We’re looking at this as a great opportunity to take another step forward.”
Saturday’s game against the Terriers is UMaine’s only game until Dec. 29, when they take on Clarkson University in the annual Florida College Classic in Estero, Fla.
Bangor Daily News