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 ==============================================================================

                        Friday, March 26, 2004

                                                    Gathering on the doorstep


                            By KEVIN THOMAS, Portland Press Herald Staff Writer

                          Copyright  2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.



  NCAA Tourney



Herb Swanson    Maine Coach Tim Whitehead, diagraming a play Thursday in Albany, N.Y., where the Black Bears prepare to meet Harvard today in the first round of the NCAA East Regional, expects another low-scoring game.
      NCAA Tourney

   What: East Regional, first round
   Who: No. 1 Maine (30-7-3) vs. No. 15 Harvard (18-14-3)
   When: 5 p.m. today
   Where: Pepsi Arena, Albany, N.Y.
   Television: NESN
   Radio: WLOB (1310 Am, 96.3 FM)

  For more coverage, brackets and a message board, check the Maine Black Bears section.



 ALBANY, N.Y. -- University of Maine hockey coach Tim Whitehead blew his whistle during Thursday's practice, pointing to a spot where a skater had too much room.

    "Make him pass it," Whitehead said, wanting his defenders to play up close to any opponent with the puck.

    Whitehead does not want his Black Bears giving Harvard much room when the two teams skate against each other today in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

    Harvard Coach Mark Mazzoleni is thinking the same thing.

    "I don't think either team is going to give the other a lot of space," Mazzoleni said. "We've been playing really well, and defense has been one of the keys to our success. And it's been a key for Maine all year."

    Harvard (18-14-3) is the 15th-ranked team in the nation, and the fourth seed in the East Regional. Maine (30-7-3) is the No. 1-ranked team, and the top seed here. Both teams won their conference tourneys Saturday, Harvard in the ECAC and Maine in Hockey East.

    The winner of today's game plays Saturday against the winner of tonight's other regional semifinal between second-seeded Ohio State (26-15-0) and third-seeded Wisconsin (21-12-8). The regional champion advances to the Frozen Four on April 8 and 10 at the FleetCenter in Boston.

    Both Maine and Harvard are here because of defense.

    The Black Bears have compiled a school-record 1.55 goals-against average. Harvard has allowed 2.48 goals per game, but the Crimson has improved lately. Behind goalie Dov Grumet-Morris, Harvard has won its last seven games, allowing 10 goals.

    How do these teams match up?



- Forwards. Harvard features two top lines and is led by Tom Cavanagh (36 points) and Brendan Bernakevitch (9 points in his last six games). Harvard's other two lines are more defensive in nature.

    Maine brings more depth with three lines capable of scoring, with a checking line that can also put the puck in the net. Colin Shields (42 points) has an explosive shot and Todd Jackson (20 goals) has superior speed, but the Black Bears really do not have a true sniper.

    Both Maine and Harvard try to manufacture goals, getting a player in front of the goalie, then sending the puck on net.



- Defensemen. Harvard has a slew of NHL draft picks roaming the blue line. And they are big, including Noah Welch (6-foot-4, 212 pounds), Ryan Lannon (6-2, 220), Noah Welch (6-4, 212) and Kenny Smith (6-2, 215).

    "Their defense is very solid," Whitehead said. "They have a lot of big rigs back there, and they can play real strong hockey."

    The Crimson like to hit.

    "There are going to be penalties with our style of play," Smith said.

    Maine's defense has been superb, clearing away loose pucks and eliminating quality chances. Prestin Ryan (6-0, 195) anchors the defense.



- Goalies. Whitehead, as is his custom, will not announce the starting goalie. But if Jimmy Howard is not in goal today, it will be the most shocking story of the season. Howard leads the nation with a 1.05 goals-against average and .958 save percentage. He has not allowed an even-strength goal in his last 11 games, and he made 63 saves in Maine's 2-1 triple-overtime win over Massachusetts for the Hockey East title.

    Harvard counters with Grumet-Morris, who got hot in the playoffs, including a 30-save game in a 2-1 win over Dartmouth in the ECAC semis.



- Special teams. Neither team stands out on the power play (Maine's 17.6 percent to Harvard's 17.4), but both excel on the penalty kill (Maine's 85.5 percent to Harvard's 82.2). During Harvard's seven-game winning streak, the Crimson have killed 33 of 36 penalties.



- Momentum.  Both teams have it, with seven-game winning streaks and conference championships. As far as motivation goes, Harvard may play up its underdog role and its hunger. The Crimson are making their third straight appearance in the NCAAs, but they did not get out of the regionals the past two years, including a 4-3 overtime loss to Maine in the first round in 2002.

    "We want to take it to that next step," Grumet-Morris said.

    But Whitehead promises that his Black Bears will not overlook Harvard. "We will not be caught by surprise," he said.

    Whitehead knows his team will not necessarily overpower anyone, especially a team with a good defense.

    The Black Bears are ranked No. 1, but the Crimson present a challenge.

    "We're playing with a lot of tenacity," Mazzoleni said. "This is the best team (in three years) that we're bringing to the tournament."

         Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:  [log in to unmask]