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http://www.pressherald.com/sports/college/hockey/021216hocknotes.shtml

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                     Monday, December 16, 2002

                     UMAINE NOTEBOOK: Kevin Thomas



                       Jan. 4, 2004: make no plans


                        By   KEVIN THOMAS, Portland Press Herald Writer

                      Copyright  2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.





 The University of Maine is in no mood to stop a good thing, and these trips to Portland are good things.

   The Black Bears already have planned next season's trip to the Cumberland Country Civic Center. Maine will play Vermont on Jan. 4, 2004.

   Sunday's standing-room-only crowd of 6,894 ranked third on Maine's all-time home attendance list, following previous Civic Center crowds of 6,896 (Dec. 11, 1992 vs. New Hampshire) and 7,001 (Nov. 23, 1990 vs. Northern Michigan.

   "I noticed it. It was very easy to notice," Maine senior forward Martin Kariya said of the filled arena. "That's by the far the best crowd I've seen here and it's a real treat."

   Nine of Maine's largest home games have come in the Civic Center (5,784 and higher). Maine's home in Orono, the Alfond Arena, holds 5,641.

   HOWARD STAYS HOT: Maine freshman goalie Jimmy Howard, who ran his record to 9-1, entered the game ranked second in the country in save percentage (.949) and goals-against average (1.53).

   "I couldn't ask for a better semester," said Howard, who will miss the next four games while playing for the U.S. junior team in the world junior championships Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Nova Scotia.

   Maine forward Greg Moore of Lisbon also is playing for the U.S.

   Frank Doyle is scheduled to start all of the games in goal in Howard's absence. Ray Jean of Gardiner will be the backup.

   EXAMS, THEN FLORIDA: The Maine hockey team is taking this week off, but will regroup near Fort Myers, Fla., for the Everblades College Hockey Classic on Dec. 28-29. Maine will play Cornell in the first round, then Ohio State or Massachusetts the second day.

   HARVARD HOCKEY: Harvard may attract its share of academic talent, but also brings in hockey players. Thirteen of the Crimson players this season have been drafted by NHL teams. Maine has four players drafted (Colin Shields, Todd Jackson, Cliff Loya and Paul Lynch).

   REUNION FOILED: Sunday was supposed to be a brotherly battle between Harvard freshman forward Dan Murphy and his brother, Ben, a Maine sophomore forward. But Ben injured his shoulder last week against Boston College and had to sit out. Maine is expected to play at Harvard next season.



   Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

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