ALBANY, N.Y. – Dan Murphy got a phone call from his brother when it was determined that Maine would face Harvard in Saturday’s NCAA Eastern Regional hockey semifinal.
“He said, This time, we can beat them, if we want,'” said the senior forward.
Dan is the younger brother of former Black Bear Ben Murphy. When the Crimson lost to Maine two years ago in Albany, the two brother’s opposed each other, splitting allegiances in the family.
“It was a great experience,” said Murphy. “I was definitely on the wrong end of it, but looking back on it, it was a great family experience. It was great for my family to be able to come and see us both play against each other in a national tournament and such a high level.”
Murphy led the Crimson with 18 goals and nine power play tallies. He had two goals and two assists in the ECAC title game.
“I still think it’s pretty special playing against (Maine) with the ties we have,” said Murphy.
Ben Murphy is now playing in Wichita in the CHL. His younger brother expected Ben’s loyalties Saturday, but it still wasn’t enough as the Crimson lost to Maine for the third straight time in the NCAA Tournament.
“He wished me luck,” said Murphy. “I hope he wasn’t calling them and wishing them luck to.”
Moore memories
Walking into the Pepsi Arena only sparked fond recollections for Maine captain, Lisbon’s Greg Moore. Two years ago in the regional semifinal, Moore scored the game-winning goal to beat Harvard 5-4.
“Obviously it was a big memory for me in my career here at Maine,” said the senior. “It’s kind of a coincidence that we came back here to the same building and the same team. At the same time, as a team, we have to look forward and not try to reminisce on those things too much, but it was an exciting time in my life.”
Moore was originally credited with another goal on Saturday when Josh Soares’ shot from the point found the net for a 1-0 lead. The shot appeared to be redirected, but Moore said he never touched the puck. So Soares received credit. Moore did have an empty-net goal in the third.
Local product
Saturday’s game provided a familiar foe for Yarmouth’s Alex Meintel. The Maine native grew up following the Black Bears and played with a number of players he skated against Saturday.
“It’s pretty exciting to be playing in front of these people from my state,” said the sophomore forward. “They’re people I played in state tournaments in front of. There are a couple of guys I played youth hockey with and against. It’s fun going up against those guys now especially in such a big game and such a great atmosphere.”
Meintel was a teammate of Maine goaltender Ryan Shelley and defenseman Matt Duffy. He also played against Moore. Though Meintel missed much of this season to an injury, he feels like he’s made progress down the stretch. He has five goals and one assist in 18 games this season.
Spartan woes
Maine has never beaten Michigan St. in the NCAA Tournament.
In the regular season, the Spartans lead the all-time series 8-3-1.
In the NCAA Tournament, the clubs have met four times. In 1987, Michigan St. won the two-game, total-goal series by scores of 6-2 and 5-3. In the 1989 third place game, Michigan St. won 7-4 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The last meeting was in Providence in the 1992, where Michigan St. won, 3-2.
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