University of Maine (22-2-6, 10-1-6 1st in Hockey East)
at
Providence College (9-14-3, 4-9-3 8th in Hockey East)
Friday Night, Schinder Arena, Providence, RI
 
After hockey, College is about learning. <smile>  Last week, Professors Joe
Mallen and Brian Regan taught the University of Maine a lesson, tonight we
find out if they learned it.
 
Maine is rebounding from a 4-2 defeat at the hands of last place
UMass-Amherst after defeating them soundly 7-2 the night before.  Maine
forward Tim Lovell summed it up best "We tried to beat them on our
reputation.", and all week Coach Shawn Walsh reiterated to the press how
"This team can't take anything for granted."  Maine plans to get back to
basics this weekend.  With the stingy defense, and strong forechecking that
has made their 1994-5 campaign so successful.  Maine's leading scorers
continue to be sophomore Tim Lovell (14-17--31) and Hockey East Rookie of
the Year canadate, defenseman Jeff Tory (7-24--31).  Goalie Blair Allison
will get the nod tonight, and will need to be strong against some great
snipers from Providence. Allison continues to lead Hockey East with a 2.72
GAA in league play, and 2.57 overall.
 
Chad Queenville, and Brady Kramer pace the way for the Providence College
Friars.  Quenneville is 12-21--33, and Kramer 16-15--31.  Also, Quenneville
and Kramer rank 10 and t13 respectively in league scoring.  Goal-tending has
to be a disappointment for Paul Pooley's Friars, Dan Dennis leads the way
with a 7-10-3 record and a rather inflated GAA of 4.53.
 
The Friars will be no pushover for Maine, it took two third period goals to
give Maine a 5-4 come from behind victory November 18 up at Alfond Arena.
Maine tightened the defense the next night, and won it 2-1.  Both teams are
very effective on the power-play, Maine ranks #1, Providence #3 in Hockey
East play.  Neither team takes many penalites though, Providence ranks 7 of
9 in PIM, Maine 8 of 9.  If Dan Dennis can play well, and Providence can
stay in the game late, at home, anything can happen.  For Maine, they must
take the 8th place Friars seriously, and play strong defense early unlike
last Saturday night.  They must also attack offensively for 60 minutes.
Maine put 25 shots on goal in the 3rd period alone in their loss to UMass.
Maine was unable to score because the UMass defensemen cleared the rebounds,
if Providence defense lapses, and allows Maine to get at those rebounds, it
could be a long night for the Friars.  Should be a low scoring, great game
however.
 
I will preview the Maine/UMass-Lowell game tomorrow.  Enjoy the games!
 
 
 
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Deron  Treadwell - [log in to unmask]
The University of Maine (22-2-6)  GO BLUE!!
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