Sister support aided UM’s Metcalf

University of Maine sophomore defenseman Peter Metcalf was able to develop his offensive skills during his youth hockey days because his defense partner was willing to hang back and cover for him.

His defense partner was older sister Erine, who is a senior defenseman for Northeastern University’s women’s team.

Erine Metcalf was cheering on her little brother and his Black Bear teammates in Sunday’s 4-2 win over Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

“We were always paired together until we began playing on differ ent teams when we were 12 or 13,” said Erine Metcalf, who is 21, a year older than her brother. “Pete was more offensive-minded. I was more of a stay-at-home defenseman.”

They would occasionally play against each other in pickup games near their Pembroke, Mass., home.

“He would always show off his offensive moves,” grinned Erine.

Both would have to be considered offensive-minded these days and they have identical statistics: two goals and three assists. Peter has played nine games, one more than Erine.

Each scored six goals a year ago with Peter notching 17 assists and his sister collecting 12. Erine played 34 games, one more than her brother.

Noah Smith, Northeastern University’s sports information specialist, said Erine has an “intimidating slap shot” and is a very physical player.

Erine and Peter each stand 5-foot-11.

They keep in touch and Erine said “we have always been supportive of each other.”

She said she had trouble watching TV during Maine’s national championship game win over New Hampshire in Anaheim last year. She was too nervous.

“My friends said `You’ve got to watch’ and they’d call me and tell me what was going on,” said Erine. “I was crying after they won. I was very proud of him. I was probably more proud of him than my parents.”

In watching her brother play against the Eagles – Erine said scheduling conflicts make it very difficult for them to see each other play – she feels her brother has stepped up his game a notch from a year ago.

“And he’s still young. He’s still got a lot to learn. He’s a great playmaker and he’s strong on his feet,” said Erine, who would like to see her brother shoot more.

Walsh hopes Bears keep rolling

While watching videotape of Friday night’s opponent, a “good and aggressive” University of Massachusetts-Lowell team, Maine hockey coach Shawn Walsh said he is hoping momentum from the triumph over Boston College will carry over to this weekend.

Maine will also host Brown on Saturday night.

“I didn’t know if we were for real going into the BC game. That showed me that we are,” said Walsh. “We seem to play better against better teams. Now we’ve got to raise our defensive focus when we play teams who aren’t highly ranked.”

Maine will be without right wings Niko Dimitrakos (sprained shoulder) and Tommy Reimann (concussion) this weekend. Maine has the following weekend off and Walsh hopes to have both back for the Northeastern series in Boston on Dec. 3-4.

The Bear boss also said he has been “really impressed” by the progress of his freshmen.

Senior Magnus Lundback, who had been bothered by a rapid heartbeat, will return to the lineup on Friday. He has played in one game and will be on a line with Ben Guite and Dan Kerluke.

Knights second team All-American

Junior Kristi Knights of the University of Maine field hockey team has been named an Astro Turf/NFHCA Division I Northeast Region Second Team All-American.

Knights, a South Portland native, led the Bears in goals and points with seven goals and one assist in 19 games for 15 points.

Conference rival Boston University had the most players of any America East team on the Northeast Region squad, with three players on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s All-American first team and two on the second.