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Sunday, January 25, 2004
Maine's offense shackled as Terriers earn series split
By KEVIN THOMAS, Portland Press Herald Writer
Copyright 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
BOSTON -- After allowing eight goals on Friday night, Boston University goalie Sean Fields appeared headed to the bench Saturday. But Coach Jack Parker stuck with his senior goalie, and with support from a stifling defense, Fields and the Terriers beat the University of Maine 1-0 before 3,146 at Walter Brown Arena.
Fields made 28 saves for his first win against the Black Bears at Brown Arena. Maine goalie Jimmy Howard made 25 saves but lost a second straight 1-0 game. Massachusetts beat Maine with one goal last Saturday.
And like last Saturday, a power-play goal was costly for Maine. The Terriers scored with the advantage in the second period, and that was all they needed.
Maine continued to struggle on the power play, going 0 for 3 to finish the weekend 0 for 7.
The third-ranked Black Bears dropped to 17-6-1, 9-4-1 in Hockey East. Maine remains in second place in the league. Boston University improved to 7-9-6 and 3-9-2, good for sixth place.
Maine pulled Howard with 80 seconds left in an effort to tie the game. With two seconds left, the game was delayed by a brawl that resulted in 24 penalties totaling 152 minutes.
It was Maine's third 1-0 loss this season.
"It was tough to get good chances tonight," said Maine forward Todd Jackson. "Friday night (an 8-4 Maine win) was kind of a free-for-all with everything going in."
Despite Maine's romp on Friday, Parker again went with Fields.
"We let him hang out to dry in the first two periods Friday," Parker said. "I thought he deserved the chance to come back. He's been a terrific player for us."
The first period ended scoreless, a sharp contrast to Friday night's goal-fest. Coaches on both teams likely wore out a few sticks of chalk emphasizing defense during the morning skates. BU outshot the Black Bears 9-6, and the Terriers had the best chances.
Frantisek Skladany broke in on Howard early but sent a shot wide. Then at 16:30, BU had a two-on-one break. The crossing pass went off Sean Sullivan's stick and struck the crossbar.
Each team generated 19 chances in the first period, but most of the pucks were deflected.
In the second period, Maine created the best chances early, getting Fields out of position. But Jon Jankus missed wide on an open net at 4:45.
Then Maine pushed the puck around, setting up Travis Wight in the slot with Fields anchored at the right post. But Wight shot too close to the middle, and Fields snared it.
"That was a great save," Maine Coach Tim Whitehead said. "I was impressed how he bounced back."
BU then got its first full power play when Prestin Ryan was called for holding at 10:36 of the second period.
With 26 seconds left on the penalty, BU forward John Laliberte, a sophomore from Saco, brought the puck into the Maine zone and passed to Skladany along the boards. Skladany centered back to Bryan Miller at the blue line. Miller sent a slap shot just inside the left post, and Howard couldn't get there in time with his skate as the Terriers took a 1-0 lead at 12:20.
The Terriers then tightened their defense even more, squashing the Black Bears with their neutral-zone trap.
BU is unbeaten in nine games (6-0-3) when leading after two periods.
The Terriers made sure they kept the lead, keeping three players back at all times to give Fields plenty of protection.
"We needed to drive the net harder, move our feet more," Whitehead said. "We knew ice would be tough to come by."
NOTES: Whitehead saw Maine's 92 penalty minutes on the penalty sheet and joked: "There goes the sportsmanship award." . . . The Black Bears will return to Alfond Arena next weekend for a two-game televised series against New Hampshire. Friday's 8 p.m. game will be broadcast by College Sports Television. Saturday's 7 p.m. game will be shown on Channel 5 in Bangor and Channel 8 in Portland. . . . Maine remains in second place in Hockey East but is now five points behind Boston College (11-1-2). The Eagles will be without Hockey East Player of the Year Ben Eaves (knee injury) for 4 to 6 weeks. He could be back in time for the season-ending series at Maine on March 5-6. . . . In the only other league game Saturday, Northeastern beat Merrimack, 3-2.
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:
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