UM’s Kerluke planning better senior season

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Last season, Dan Kerluke, winger for the University of Maine men’s hockey team, got off to the kind of start that left Alfond Arena fans wondering if Cal Ingraham’s school-record 46 goals was in jeopardy.

Kerluke scored goals in his first three games and netted his fourth in game five.

But he would score only seven more goals over the next 34 games and three of those came in one game, a 3-2 win over Providence on March 4.

But, as the Monkees’ 1980s hit goes, “That Was Then And This Is Now.”

As the Bears prepare for their season-opening series against defending national champion North Dakota on Oct. 13-14, Kerluke is simply looking for a productive senior year.

“I’m not going to worry about points this year. I’m just going to work hard, play my best, have some fun, and see what happens,” said Kerluke, who is one of the assistant captains.

He admits that his scoring slump became an albatross.

“I let it get to me and it killed my season,” said Kerluke, who had scored 23 goals during his sophomore season in helping lead the Bears to the national championship. “I’m not going to put pressure on myself this year.”

Maine coach Shawn Walsh said Kerluke was “snakebitten last year” and this season will provide a fresh start for him.

“He’s a finisher and I expect him to create scoring chances this season,” added Walsh. “He can shoot the puck. He’s looked good so far.”

Kerluke and his teammates will play their only Blue-White exhibition game at 7 p.m. today and he is looking forward to seeing the new players in game situations.

“This is best recruiting class they’ve brought in since I’ve been here,” said Kerluke. “They are really fast and very skilled. We’re going to be a lot faster than we were last year.”

Walsh said he will be paying close attention to the forwards during the Blue-White game.

Maine has lost its top four scorers off last year’s 27-8-5 team that was ousted from the Frozen Four by North Dakota 2-0 in the semifinals in Providence.

“I’m comfortable with our defense and our goaltending,” said Walsh. “I want to see who can step up and makes things happen offensively.”

He said he also wants to get a feel for which players complement each other and could create a productive line.

They will play two 25-minute halves.

Maine co-captains Doug Janik and A.J. Begg and junior winger Niko Dimitrakos will not play.

Janik and Dimitrakos are coming off knee and shoulder surgery, respectively, and Begg has a sprained ankle.

Walsh said he intends to skate a line of freshman walk-ons who played hockey in Maine last season.

Stearns High School of Millinocket’s Doug Morrison will be teamed up with Steve Kay of Topsham’s Mount Ararat High School and Chad Lauze of Hebron Academy.

“This will add a little flavor and give them a chance to play. We’ve had great success with walk-ons and they haven’t looked out of place so far,” said Walsh.

He doesn’t expect any of them to stay with the team, but he said he may offer them an invitation to join the team if the club is depleted by injuries during the season.

Black Bears banged up

Several members of the UMaine football team are nursing injuries as the Black Bears head into Saturday’s 7 p.m. Atlantic 10 game against William & Mary at Alfond Stadium in Orono.

UMaine went into last week’s game at Villanova already minus starting right tackle Pete Richardson of Millinocket (torn knee ligament), starting defensive end Mickey Donovan (broken hand), and starting cornerback Dave Cusano (concussion).

This week, Cusano remains “doubtful” as he recovers from the concussion suffered during a Sept. 20 practice. The sophomore is UMaine’s best pass coverage man. Cusano’s injury led to the insertion of senior Jason Betts, an outside linebacker, to his former position.

The Bears were further forced to realign personnel when starting free safety Randy Smith suffered a pinched nerve during the first half of the Villanova contest. Outside linebacker Ernie Svolto then moved to free safety, Betts switched back to corner, and first-year player Devon Goree took over at cornerback.

Goree is among seven freshmen who have seen action this season for UMaine. The others include linebacker Ben Burklow, wideout Stefan Gomes, defensive tackle Dan Joslyn, fullback Patrick Kenney, and defensive tackles John Kmety and Rich Stallone.

Junior tight end Chad Hayes of Old Town has been nursing a sore hamstring, but played against Villanova last week and is likely to play Saturday night.