Penalty killing to be focus for Maine-UNH

The University of Maine hockey team has always taken great pride in its penalty killing.

The penalty killers will receive a huge test this weekend when the University of New Hampshire and their potent power play invade the Alfond Arena in Orono for a two-game series.

The two teams square off Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

“They’ve got talented players on their power play,” said Maine junior right winger Jean-Yves Roy. “They’ve got a great set of forwards, and (Dom) Amodeo is hot right now. We’ve got to nullify him.”

Amodeo and Joe Flanagan each have six power-play goals for UNH, which scored four power-play goals in a span of 2:55 in a 7-4 win over Boston University on Nov. 23.

Amodeo had three goals and an assist in UNH’s 5-4 loss to Clarkson last Saturday and was chosen the Hockey East Player of the Week.

UNH is operating at a 30.3 percent success rate on its power play, including a 38.1 percent success rate in its three Hockey East games.

“Our penalty killing is going to be very important,” said Maine Coach Shawn Walsh, whose Bears have killed off 40 of 48 opposing chances (83.3 percent).

Likewise, UNH is going to have to stop a Maine power play that is operating at a 36.7 percent efficiency rate, 40 percent in Hockey East. UNH has killed off 49 of 61 manpower disadvantages (80.3 percent).

“Specialty situations will be one of the keys to the series,” said UNH Coach Dick Umile.

Another subtle key for Maine will be its checking line of Dave LaCouture between Kent Salfi and Steve Tepper.

“We aren’t looking to do much scoring,” said Tepper. “We just want to play sound defense and put pressure on them in their zone. Hopefully, we’ll wear the down.”

“New Hampshire has a great team,” said LaCouture. “We’ve got to play the body and go to the net.”

The Bears have had a nice string of success against UNH, winning seven straight and 16 of the last 17, including nine in a row at the Alfond Arena dating back to Feb. 3, 1985.

But the Maine players aren’t thinking about that streak.

“We’ve been a thorn in UNH’s side, but teams change from year to year,” said Tepper.

“That’s not going to affect anything,” said Bear junior goalie Garth Snow. “We could lose the next 17 to them. We’ve got to go out and hit all of our objectives.”

“They’re going to be hungry to beat us,” said Maine senior left winger Brian Downey. “It’ll be a battle.”

UNH will be without three of its top players in linemates Scott Morrow and Greg Klym and steady defenseman Jesse Cooper.

“But if that had happened to us, that would motivate us even more to prove ourselves,” said Tepper.

“It’ll give some new guys a chance to come in and pick up the slack for them,” added Roy.

UNH is averaging 5.7 goals per game while Maine is giving up an average of 2.5.