Cedric Lacroix’s name won’t be at the top of the statistics sheet at the end of the hockey season.
But the senior center for the University of Maine hockey team will play a significant role in the Black Bears’ attempt to post its first winning season after three losing campaigns.
Lacroix, one of the team’s alternate captains, and his Black Bear teammates will host National Collegiate Hockey Conference team Miami (Ohio) for games on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. UMaine is 1-1 while Miami is 0-2.
Lacroix is the team’s checking line center and one of its most important penalty-killers.
Two weekends ago, in Maine’s 4-3 overtime win and 5-1 loss to the University of Connecticut, Lacroix and linemates Danny Perez and Peter Housakos held UConn’s top line of Max Letunov between Karl El-Mir and Alexander Payusov without an even-strength goal.
And Lacroix’s line scored an even-strength goal as Housakos fired home a Lacroix pass in the win.
“Not letting the other team’s top lines score is a big responsibility but it’s something we understand and take a lot of pride in,” said Lacroix.
The Lacroix line used its size, strength and physicality to sustain the forecheck in both UConn games.
Lacroix is 6-foot-1, 183 pounds while sophomore Housakos is 6-2, 187 and junior Perez is 6-4, 205.
“Our game plan is to get the puck deep and work on the grind,” said Lacroix. “We did a good job of that. We kept moving forward and we kept things simple. It’s tough to score if you’re (pinned) in your own zone. The best defense is a good offense.”
“Their grinding gave us huge momentum boosts,” said UMaine associate head coach Ben Guite. “They were great. We don’t have any problem putting them out there against any line.”
Guite said Lacroix is outstanding defensively and plays with “great energy.
“He’s a physical player with a lot of speed. He plays very important minutes for us,” added Guite, who played a similar role during his 174-game NHL career.
But Lacroix could also become a useful secondary scorer. He has scored five goals in each of his first three seasons.
“He has worked his tail off to improve his skating and his skill level. He finds ways to contribute offensively,” said UMaine head coach Red Gendron.
“I worked on my skating and my stickwork during the offseason,” said Lacroix, a native of Shefford, Quebec, who has 15 goals and 15 assists in 113 career games. “I’ve tried to become a more efficient skater by working on my technique. And I’ve gotten more comfortable with the puck on my stick.
“A big part of my progress as a hockey player is getting better in all aspects of the game. I worked on my offensive game over the summer so I can provide some secondary scoring,” he added.
Gendron said Lacroix is a valuable leader and “one of the hardest working players we’ve ever had here.
“He’s a terrific penalty-killer and a very reliable defensive player,” said Gendron.
“He gives 100 percent in everything he does (on and off the ice). He sets a great example. He does everything right all the time,” said Guite.