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Friday, January 23, 2004
So BU's down, but it's still BU
By KEVIN THOMAS, Portland Press Herald Writer
Copyright 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
UMAINE HOCKEY
UMAINE HOCKEY
Who: Maine vs. Boston University
When: 7 p.m. today and Saturday
Where: Walter Brown Arena, Boston
Television: NESN (tonight) and FSNE (Saturday)
It should not happen, should it?
The University of Maine hockey team could not possibly look past this weekend's games at Boston University, with New Hampshire coming to Orono next weekend.
Boston University is supposed to be a team that gets the rivalry juices flowing. The Black Bears love to beat BU. They love to see Terriers Coach Jack Parker in angst behind the bench.
But where is the bite in these Terriers? BU was predicted to finish third in a vote by Hockey East coaches. But halfway through the season, the Terriers sit just three points ahead of last-place Northeastern.
And if not for a comeback, overtime victory against the Huskies, BU would be stewing in last place.
Maine will play the Terriers in a two-game, televised series at Walter Brown Arena starting tonight at 7. Tonight's game will be televised by NESN. Saturday night's game is on Fox Sports New England.
Maine (16-5-1 overall, 8-3-1 Hockey East) is still ranked No. 3 nationally. BU is 6-8-6, 3-7-2.
BU has won one of its last five games. One obvious problem has been goaltending. Sean Fields ranks last among Hockey East regular goalies with a 3.14 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.
"It's been a problem for us all season," Parker said Saturday after BU's 3-2 loss to Boston College.
Does this mean Maine is a cinch to skate out of Boston with four points this weekend?
No.
"It's a dangerous series," said Maine Coach Tim Whitehead.
"It looks like we should be heavy favorites, but anyone who has seen games at Walter Brown knows that points are not easy to come by for visiting teams. And we're facing a team that's desperate for points."
Here are three reasons why it won't be simple for Maine:
1. BU's schedule. Of BU's seven losses, three have come against the league leader, Boston College, and one apiece against New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Maine's record against those three teams is 1-3-1.
The Terriers also skated to a pair of 5-5 ties in a January series at Minnesota, perhaps the hottest team in college hockey. They are better than their record indicates.
2. Maine isn't dominating. The Black Bears began January with lopsided wins over Vermont, Merrimack and Sacred Heart. None of them played a stitch of defense and Maine capitalized.
Against a good defensive team, Massachusetts, the Black Bears split two games, scoring a total of three goals.
BU can play defense, which is why the goaltending problem is frustrating to Parker. When the Terriers were in Orono on Nov. 1, Maine squeaked out a 2-1 win.
3. The rivalry. Parker has had a week to correct his team's flaws. If Parker's growling voice isn't enough to motivate the Terriers, the sight of Maine's blue uniforms will.
But it must be said the Black Bears have fared well at Walter Brown recently (2-0-1 over the past two seasons).
Maine usually has entered BU's rink as an underdog, or with the game as a toss-up. The Black Bears are favored this weekend. But should they strut in overconfident, they will find a hungry Terriers team ready to pounce.
"We'll need to match their intensity right from the start and battle hard," said Whitehead. "If we're able to come out of there with some points, it will be a successful weekend."
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: [log in to unmask]
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