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http://www.portland.com/sports/college/hockey/020317colsol.shtml

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                     Sunday, March 17, 2002

                     COLUMN: Steve Solloway



                        For UMaine goalies, hot seat is perfect seat




                      Copyright  2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.









BOSTON -- The view is stupendous. You sit at ice level, with excellent sightlines to every corner of the rink.

 Players flash by and you feel the breeze. You're so close, you can reach out and grab their sweaters.

 You hear them grunt, you see their sweat. Once in a while you might even get one pushed over the boards and into your lap.

 "Oh yeah, it's the best seat in the house," said Matt Yeats. "It's perfect for watching a hockey game. I hate it."

 For many games this season that perfect spectator's seat was Yeats'. Right at the very end of the University of Maine bench. Close enough to hear everything Coach Tim Whitehead had to say.

 And so far away from the puck that a goalie could cry. All around, teammates are shuttling in and out of the game. Hockey is played in shifts with refreshed lungs and legs relieving those crying from fatigue.

 Except for backup goalies. They stay put unless they get the hook. And by then the situation is dire.

 "You cheer," said Yeats. "You support the team. You try to keep your head in the game."

 Friday night at the FleetCenter, Yeat's didn't have to try. Whitehead chose him to start against Boston University in the Hockey East semifinals. Maine won 4-3  to reach Saturday's final with New Hampshire.

 For the second straight night, Yeats was in front of the goal. After it was over, Yeats was named to the all-tournament team. It was much too bittersweet. New Hampshire beat Maine, 3-1.

 Mike Morrison got the great seat no goalie wants. Mike Morrison, who not 24 hours before Friday's game was named the all-conference goalie.

 Sometimes there is no justice. Just gut instincts, gambles or educated guesses. Which were the reasons Whitehead gave for the switch.

 Yeats was the main man last year and the year before. Morrison allowed fewer goals when the two were in an early rotation, but Coach Shawn Walsh put his trust in Yeats.

 Yeats and Morrison. Both seniors, both team players and solid citizens. And both so different.

 Yeats is cerebral. Want to discuss world affairs? Talk to Yeats.

 He plays a steady game in goal although earlier this season, too often did not. Walsh's passing on the day of the team's first practice affected them in different ways. Maybe Yeats just needed more time.

 Morrison is Mr. Excitement. Perpetual motion in front of the goal, making the spectacular save and not making it look easy. Away from the ice he's open and unassuming.

 He had to prove himself to Walsh time and again. Occasionally he couldn't. Morrison understood.

 He didn't surrender. But, momma, don't let your sons or daughters grow up to be goaltenders.

 No other position tests confidence and self esteem as playing in goal. Hot goalies win tournaments. Cold goalies lose them.

 No justice, no fairness.

 When Walsh died, Morrison dealt with it. With Niko Dimitrakos, he became an older brother to Sean Michael Walsh, the coach's very young son.

 Maine won with Morrison this year. He earned all the right attention.

 This weekend, when so much of their world was watching, Morrison got the seat and Yeats got the ice.

 "It's tough," said Yeats, who now knows. He and Morrison are friends. It couldn't be any other way.

 Yeats gave up two quick goals Friday night. Maybe Whitehead's hunch was wrong.

 Maine rallied. Two goals in the first three minutes of the second period got the 3-2 lead.

 Boston University came back. The rest of the period was like a 16-minute power play as the Terriers swarmed the Maine end.

 Shot, save. Shot, save. Was there time to breathe?

 "I loved it," said Yeats. "You want to stay busy. When you're that busy, the pucks look like beach balls."

 Except the one that got by to tie the score. In the third period Dimitrakos won it and Yeats made like a steel curtain. Maine won. Yeats smiled.

 It all changed a night later when New Hampshire won. Yeats can live with that. He has to. He's a goalie.   Staff Writer Steve Solloway can be contacted at 791-6412 or at: [log in to unmask]