ORONO – Tim Whitehead just shrugs and gives that been-there-done-that look.
Playing Minnesota on its home rink is a daunting task for the University of Maine hockey team in its NCAA Western Regional tournament game this afternoon.
Whitehead knows his club could have had a better fate, but also knows his Black Bears aren’t new to this scenario.
Last week, Maine lost to Boston College in double overtime at the FleetCenter in Boston. In previous years, the Black Bears have faced critical games at the Fleet against BC, Boston University and UMass. Maine has beaten UNH on its rink and played Michigan at Michigan and played Minnesota in its home state three years ago in the National Championship.
“We’ve been there,” said Whitehead. “We’ve been in that environment before. Because we play in front of such a loud and large crowd at the Alfond every home game, our team enjoys playing in front of crowds. Whether the crowd is for us or against us, I think we’ve played some very inspired games. I think our team is very comfortable playing in that environment.”
The Black Bears are four wins away from its first National Championship since 1999, but Maine will have to knock off the Golden Gophers first. Minnesota beat Maine in the last meeting – an overtime victory in the 2002 title game.
“Certainly, on paper, we’d be the underdogs and given the circumstances of the game as well, that increases their odds of winning, but it’s a good situation for us to be in,” said Whitehead. “We clawed our way back into the tournament and had a strong second half of the season. This is an opportunity for us to prove that we can go toe-to-toe with teams like Minnesota, Cornell, and Ohio State. I think it’s a great opportunity to prove to ourselves and everyone else that we can do something special this year.”
Minnesota (26-14-1) is ranked seventh in the latest USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine and USCHO/CSTV polls. Maine (20-12-7) is ranked 12th. The Gophers have been limping down the stretch, losing their last two games in the WCHL tournament. The Gophers have the worst second-half record of any of the NCAA tournament teams and enter today’s game with an abundance of question marks.
Minnesota will be without top scorer Tyler Hirsch (11 goals and 33 assists), after an emotional meltdown following a loss in the WCHA semifinals to Colorado College.
As the players were heading to the locker room, Hirsch skated onto the ice alone, crashed into the net and end boards, then left his stick at center ice. He’s resumed practicing with the team, but Minnesota coach Don Lucia said Friday that Hirsch would not dress against Maine, adding only that his status was “day-to-day.”
Defensemen Alex Goligoski (hand) and Nate Hagemo (shoulder) are questionable.
The Gophers are 10-10-1 over their last 21 games.
“I know that they’re coming off two loses in their tournament, but they’re a very strong team” said Whitehead. “They have a lot of tournament experience.
“On the flip side, I think we’re playing our best hockey of the year. We have a lot of tournament experience, too. We feel like we’re a pretty strong team at this point of the season, and I couldn’t have said that earlier.”
After starting 6-6, the Black Bears have gone 11-4-4 in their last 19 games. Goaltender Jimmy Howard was outstanding in the loss to BC last weekend. Maine also may get a boost with the return of forward Brent Shepheard from an injury.
“We had our chances,” Whitehead said of the BC loss. “We were going with one of the top-ranked teams in the country. It could have gone either way for five periods. That should give us some good confidence. Obviously, it’s disappointing that we didn’t win. It’s tough to keep that perspective, but we have to recognize that our own league tournament is as good as any. So to beat Lowell twice so convincingly and to play Boston College so evenly, that’s a good sign for us.”
If Hirsch doesn’t play, the Gopher’s top scoring threats are Ryan Potulny (24 goals and 17 assists) and Danny Irmen (24-19). Potulny and Irmen have combined for 27 power-play goals. Potulny is the younger brother of Grant Potulny, who scored the overtime game-winner in 2002.
Maine’s offense has been sporadic. It scored six power-play goals against Lowell in the quarterfinals but were held to seven shots on six power plays against BC.
The Black Bears have five goals on 164 shots in its last five NCAA Tournament games.
“We’re going to have to find a way to manufacture a couple more goals, just as we did against Lowell,” said Whitehead.
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