ORONO — The road to the Frozen Four will have some major speed bumps for the University of Maine men’s hockey team.
But at least the Black Bears will stay in New England and have the potential for a partisan Maine fan base.
That’s because The 23-13-3 Black Bears will face defending NCAA champion Minnesota-Duluth, 24-9-6, in Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. first-round game in the NCAA Tournament’s Northeast Regional in Worcester, Mass.
Maine is the third seed while the Bulldogs are the second seed.
That game will follow the 4 p.m. opener between top seed Boston College, 29-10-1 and a 4-1 winner over Maine in Saturday night’s Hockey East championship game, and Atlantic Hockey Tournament winner Air Force, 21-10-7 and the fourth seed.
The winners will meet at 8 on Sunday night for the right to go to the Frozen Four at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on April 5-7.
It is unknown whether Black Bear Hobey Baker Award finalist Spencer Abbott, the nation’s leading scorer and Hockey East Player of the Year, will be available.
The senior left wing and assistant captain suffered a head injury 4:03 into the third period of Friday night’s 5-3 Hockey East semifinal win over Boston University and missed Saturday’s loss to BC. BU tied the game 3-3 with Abbott sprawled on the ice but Mark Anthoine scored the game-winner 3:40 later.
“Hopefully, he’ll be ready for the weekend,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “You learn with head injuries that you have to take it day by day. He felt a lot better today. That was encouraging.
“On the flip side, now the team has some experience without him in the lineup. We were able to get a victory on Friday night and, after a tough first period on Saturday, we rebounded well and gave BC a run for the money. The coaching staff was very proud of how the guys battled through that situation. They really competed hard. We’d love to have another opportunity to play BC if we can get past Duluth and they get past Air Force.”
Maine is making its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since the 2006-2007 season when the Black Bears reached the Frozen Four in St. Louis only to lose to Michigan State 4-2 in the semifinals.
Michigan State went on to beat Boston College 3-1 in the NCAA championship game.
The 2006-2007 NCAA Tournament appearance capped a run of nine straight seasons in the tourney.
“We’re excited,” said Maine senior center and co-captain Brian Flynn. “It’s the closest regional (to us) so, hopefully, we’ll continue to get a ton of support from our fans. We had a better turnout at the (TD) Garden than Boston University and Boston College (for the Hockey East semis and final) and that helped us out a lot.
“They’ve been loyal for my four years here. It’s awesome,” added Flynn.
The other regionals are in Bridgeport, Conn. (East), Green Bay, Wis. (Midwest) and St. Paul, Minn. (West).
Besides Maine and BC, two other Hockey East teams earned berths as Boston University will face Minnesota in St. Paul in its opener and UMass Lowell will take on Miami in Bridgeport.
“It’s going to be a great challenge but we’re looking forward to it,” said senior defenseman and co-captain Will O’Neill.
Flynn said they have a “big test right off the bat” but said when you reach the NCAA Tournament, every team is going to be a quality opponent.
“You’re going to have to play good teams to win the national championship. Duluth knows what it takes to win it,” added Flynn.
The NCAA Tournament appearance is particularly gratifying for the seniors, who came close in each of the past two seasons but couldn’t finish the deal.
Two years ago, the Black Bears needed to beat BC in the Hockey East championship game to earn the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament but lost a heart-breaker 7-6 in overtime after rallying from three two-goal deficits.
Last season, Maine was swept by Merrimack in their Hockey East quarterfinal series and that cost them a berth.
“This is why I came to Maine. I wanted the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament and to play in big games,” said Flynn. “It’s nice to get (the program) back to the tournament.”
O’Neill added, “This is great for the seniors and the young guys.”
Flynn said playing in pressure-packed games like the Hockey East semifinals and finals will be beneficial.
“I think we’ll be ready,” he said.
O’Neill concurred and pointed out that the team has been involved in a lot of challenging environments this season including a two-game series at the University of North Dakota, the Frozen Fenway outdoor game against New Hampshire in and playing a decisive game three at home against Merrimack in their quarterfinal series. Maine won game three 2-1.
“All those experiences will really help us,” said O’Neill.
Eight Black Bears played in their first Hockey East TD Garden games this past weekend: freshmen John Parker, Stu Higgins and Andrew Cerratani; sophomores Mark Anthoine, Jon Swavely, Brice O’Connor and Dan Sullivan and junior Nick Pryor.
Whitehead, O’Neill and Flynn felt the newcomers performed well on the big stage and the team must bottle the positives they took out of the weekend and stick to what has been successful for them during their impressive 20-7-2 stretch that followed a 3-6-1 start.
“Whether or not we have Spencer, we have to compete, work hard, keep getting great goaltending from (Sullivan) and play strong team defense,” said O’Neill.
The NCAA tourney field features 16 teams — five conference champions who earned automatic berths and 11 teams who received at-large berths, such as Maine.
id say no respect for maine..thats a very tough draw..I think BC and Duluth are 2 best teams in country.
Actually, it’s in line with how the brackets are made. In a 16-team tournament, the seedings are placed 1-16-8-9, 2-15-7-10, 3-14-6-11, and 4-13-5-12. Since clearly Air Force was the last team in at 16, and BC is 1, that means they placed UMaine at 8 or 9… above our national ranking of 11. That says they see UMaine even with UMD. That’s not a lack of respect. And, the best part, the game’s in Worcester. UMD won’t be in Green Bay or St. Paul where they’d have a lot of fans. UMaine should paint Worcester blue (and root for Air Force in an historic upset!)
The fan showing at the garden was huge; way more blue than red on Friday night. The following in the Boston area has been great all year. They may have chosen us for NE because we’ll bring lots of fans.
You can bet your bottom……ahem, DOLLAR, that the NCAA noticed that on both Friday and Saturday nights that we had tons of fans at the GaHden.
I want them to have to play some tough teams to make it to the FF…….I remember in ’07 when we beat SCSU and UMass to make it. It didn’t feel like that great an accomplishment.
Tough draw but I would say that the next national champion will be from this regional. Hopefully #13 returns to 100% and then I believe these boys can play with anybody! Go Blue!
This will make it easier when the Bears get to the Frozen four. There is no reason that the Blacks shouldn’t beat both teams.. Maine is just as good as they are and a bit faster.. We were missing the top scorer in the country last night.. While they are watching Abbott and chasing him down, others will be open…He is the steering wheel of the car, period…
“There is no reason that the Blacks shouldn’t beat both teams….” The team that won the NCAA Championship last year and the team that will probably win it this year? You mean those two teams?
So your glass is half empty but I prefer to think of them as the team that lost a lot to graduation last year so won’t repeat, and the team we beat twice in a row when we were at full strength not so long ago.
If you want to prove that you’re the best team in the country, you better plan on beating some very good teams because there’s never an easy road to a national championship. During the regular season, BC earned the right to have one relatively easy game, so in order to win a national championship they have to win 3 tough games and most other teams including Maine, has to win 4. If you’re really the best team in the country, what difference does it make? With Spencer back, I like our chances just as well as any other teams chances.
Put the bong down dude…
So why are you paying attention unless you are cheering on a different team. apparently you have lost faith.. GO BLACK BEARS
So lemme get this straight. Someone doesn’t share your opinion because he’s not drinking the Timmay koolaid and he’s “cheering on a different team”?
I’m guessing that when you turned in your 6th-grade homework this morning you wrote 1+NO=Meow.
I’m not drinking timmy koolaid, I don’t care for his style of coaching, I want someone who is willing to defend his team as a coach… But I am thinking of the team right now and am optimistic that they are a good enough team to win… Watching them play proves to me they are that good.. They will beat BC this weekend after beating Duluth. (-;
Tough draw indeed…was hoping some how we’d get into that Bridgeport regional because I had a bad feeling we’d be seeing BC in the same regional as us, let alone we have to see the team that won it all last year…..Im also thinking a LOT of people will be watching this game because the winner will probably be the outcome of the Hobby award as well, so hopefully we see our HOBBY guy Abbott back and ready to prove Maine is back in the nation! Now, either way glad to see them on the east coast….kinda surprised by BU going out west considering they made it to the Garden, and seeing UML in probably the weakest of all brackets……either way, Go BLUE!
Forgot to mention….thanks ESPN3 to screwing us that wanna watch the game, considering your going to see 2 of the top 3 Hobey finalists(pending if Abbott is playing) in this game….but oh we’ll get a replay of the game on ESPNU at 1130pm…..thanks for nothing! lol
The bad news is that Abbott still has to pass the test for concussion (which are really hard) in order to play, so they have to be extra precautionary because of legalities, so therefore I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a no-go, especially after what Wheeler on the WBB team had to endure.
In addition the NCAA Mafia has made it that fans HAVE to purchase the 2-day pass for $96, when the Bridgeport Region is $25 less.
That’s what u call price gauging folks, because the NCAA knows that the UMO fans are desperate to finally see there team make the tourney, so therefore let’s jack it up and cash in on the strapped true UMO fans. Gotta love free enterprise!
FYI–It’s free on TV.
$96 x 4 (tix) + $150(hotel) + $100 (gas) + $200 (meals) = They better win or you better stop at Hollywood Casino on the way home to double up on you losses ;)
If you have ESPN3 it is…..unless you dont listen to the radio and such, and watch it replay at 1130pm on ESPNU…..reason why its so much is because of it being the toughest regional out there!
Good luck Bears. Nobody is really expecting you to go far which can be a great motivator. By the looks of Coach Whiteheads pre-game and post game media press conference you are going to have to motivate yourself. Shawn Walsh was a great motivator. Not all players liked him, some of the guys that had great careers in the pros actually hated his personality. They knew if they wanted to go to the big show and be on a winning team Maine was a great bet. We need that mentality back. It really is time for Whitehead to go before our program loses the last bit of momentum and good will it has. C’mon Abbott, time to pull him. The fans will not be as ugly as they were with Blodget BTW. Plus everyone loves a winner. Winning cures all woes. Like Charlie Sheen says…….Duh, Winning!!!
Abbott should fire Woodward before he fires anybody else. If I was the UM President I would make that loud and clear.
Woodward?
Yeah, the guy they call UM MBB Coach.
Ok, I thought we were talking hockey. I don’t follow baseball.
basketball…
see. LOL
With Abbott: UMD 3-2
Without Abbott: UMD 12-1
By , BDN Staff, and Larry Mahoney, BDN Staff
Posted June 02, 2010, at 1:20 a.m.
Bangor Daily News | BDN
Tim Whitehead University of Maine Hockey Buy PhotoUniversity of Maine men’s hockey coach Tim Whitehead is counting the days before the 2010-11 season gets under way.He doesn’t have to worry about the pressure attached to the final year of a contract, as he recently signed a three-year extension, making it a four-year deal.UMaine athletic director Blake James confirmed Tuesday that Whitehead signed the extension a month ago and he will receive a $5,000 raise that he has received every year since signing his last contract after the 2003-04 season when Patrick Nero was the athletic director.Whitehead will make approximately $170,000 per year.“I’m very happy with the extension. The raise has always been in place to account for inflation,” said Whitehead, who will begin his 10th year behind the Maine bench next fall and has a record of 199-126-36 for a winning percentage of .601.
Couple things Coach.1. The higher the pay the higher the expectation.2. If you can’t deliver a title during those years start packing.3. “the raise has always been in place to account for inflation”. (cough…REALLY?) What inflation? 4. So next year the contract is over?5. Best wishes.
inflation, come now Bushfan!!! there is no inflation if you take out food, fuel, healthcare, education, etc..etc..
didn’t mr obama send you the memo.
If u guys were real fans u would contact ESPN and demand that the game can be broadcast locally, similar to what happened to Montana in football. It’s in your hands people. There’s no reason the game could not be picked up locally
The television schedule for the game on Sat. is listed as ESPNS (Syndicate). I read that this allows for other markets/stations to pick up the game. Could anyone clarify or does anyone know if it will be picked up in Maine? Let’s hope so…
hopefully, WABI picks it up as they have in the past
Good luck to the Black Bears in Worcester. Regardless of seeding, they still need to win two games. At this stage, I am not convinced that the actual initial seedings really make a great deal of difference. Hope they make it to Tampa Bay. There should be a “law” though that prevents any NCCA Hockey tournament to be held in Tampa Bay, FLORIDA. The fans should not have to enter the building, wearing shorts, a T-Shirt, sunglasses, and carrying sun screen. Tampa Bay and College Hockey = a mighty mismatch!