Fans ready to jump on this season's band wagon should be excited to know the
new Bears have increased speed, canny play, hustle and a new-found ability
to miss the goalie belly-button.  Pessimists might counter they have yet to
be immersed in the defensive play necessary for success, and their goalies
were spectacularly unsuccessful.

Sure to be a fan-favorite is freshman Joey Diamond, but several of his
first-year companions will vie for ice time, giving Maine much needed
offensive punch.

Maine's returning veterans appeared to not be playing to earn a job, with
few exceptions.  Last season's role players Brett Carriere and David
deKastrozza, now seniors, were relegated to the White team with many of the
newcomers; they were spectacular, scoring two goals each.

BDN reporter Larry Mahoney wrote "But freshman forwards Diamond, Mangene and
Beattie along with Adam Shemansky and Klas Leidermark all exhibited
impressive offensive skills."

We'll see how these folks deal with the quicker decision times and increased
levels of contact, but the recent days of a goalie needing a shutdown to win
may be behind the team.

Oh yes, the score Sunday evening was Maine White 11, Maine Blue 4.

Maine opens their season this Friday and Saturday at Union College.

Maine's home openers are the following weekend, October 16 and 17, hosting
Michigan State.

Cheers, Wayne

Related BDN articles:

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/123840.html

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/123318.html

http://www.bangordailynews.com/topic/29/browse.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=stories&town_id=&page=1&page=24

http://www.bangordailynews.com/topic/29/browse.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=stories&town_id=&page=&page=23

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/107156.html