Freshman Droog emerges as Bears’ leading scorer

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Karen Droog wasn’t sure what to expect when she stepped onto the ice at the University of Maine’s Alfond Arena for the first time in her career.

The only thing the freshman right winger did know was “I would do my best.”

Her best has been quite good as she is among the leading freshman scorers in the ECAC with a team-high 12 goals along with six assists for a team-leading 18 points.

“I didn’t think I would score like this. I’ve been really fortunate,” said Droog, a native of Listowell, Ontario.

Droog’s debut couldn’t have been any better: she recorded a hat trick in a 4-1 win over Bemidji State (Minn.).

“That helped. That helped me relax,” said Droog, whose 12 goals have come on only 59 shots on goal.

Droog has many attributes, according to coach Rick Filighera and her teammates.

“She’s a [natural] goal-scorer,” said Filighera. “She has size [5-foot-11], she has a hard shot and she puts it on net.”

Goalie Amanda Cronin, who faces Droog every day in practice, said Droog’s shot is deceptive.

“Even though she’s a big girl, she doesn’t look like somebody who can shoot the puck as hard as she does,” said Droog. “She has good hands and she goes to the net hard.”

Bears junior center Raffi Wolf said Droog not only has a good shot, but “she gets it off right away.”

Droog has always been able to put the puck in the net. She was a member of the Ontario provincial hockey team and has won the gold medal at the Canadian winter games.

“I’ve always loved to shoot the puck,” said Droog, who began skating when she was 3 years old.

She tries to read situations and capitalize. For example, if a situation requires a quick release, that’s what she’ll do. If it requires holding the puck a split-second longer, she’ll do that.

Droog said the adjustment to Division I hockey has been a difficult one.

“Everybody we play is good,” said Droog, who began playing hockey because her older brother, Jason, was a player.

The 18-year-old Droog, who has benefited from being on a line with Andrea Keller and Meagan Aarts, played on boys teams until a couple of years ago.

Wolf UMaine’s top all-time scorer

Wolf has become the school’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals and 24 assists for 76 points, one more than previous record holder Alison Lorenz of Brewer.

“When I came here, I didn’t expect this to happen at all,” said Wolf, who added that she hasn’t really dwelled on her accomplishment.

“I’ve got to think about the team first. This will be nice to look back on when my career is over,” said Wolf, a native of Voerde, Germany, and a member of the German national team.

Wolf had 43 points as a freshman but Maine’s elevation to the world of ECAC Division I hockey last year has made points much more difficult to come by.

She had 21 a year ago and has 12 on six goals and six assists in 16 games this season.

“It’s much harder now. Every time I touch the puck, two girls are on me,” said Wolf.

However, Filighera said Wolf is having her best all-around season.

“She has been more consistent than ever,” said Filighera.

Maine-BU tickets still available

There are a limited number of tickets available for this weekend’s Hockey East series between the Maine men and archrival Boston University at Alfond Arena.

Game time on Friday and Saturday nights is 7.

There will be 120 tickets that can be purchased in advance through the Maine ticket office by calling 581-2327 or 1-800-756-8326.

There are 150 more that will be available to the general public prior to the game. They can’t be purchased in advance.

Sales begin one hour before faceoff each night.

This is “Wear White Weekend” with fans being encouraged to wear white to both games.

White UMaine hockey sweaters will be sold at both games for $10 and the proceeds will go to two non-profit organizations: The Coach’s Foundation, which has been created to defray medical-related expenses incurred by coaches with serious illnesses, and the Black Bear Club, which raises funds for athletic scholarships at the school.

UM sets Youth Basketball Days

The University of Maine has scheduled Youth Basketball Days for its Jan. 14 men’s game at 1 p.m. against New Hampshire and its noon Jan. 20 women’s contest against Hofstra.

The Black Bears will be available for autographs after Sunday’s game at Alfond Arena in Orono.

All youth basketball players, coaches and their families can receive a discounted ticket price of $3 for both games by contacting the ticket office prior to game day at 1-800-756-8326 or 581-2327.

Teams that wish to be recognized over the P.A. system should give their name to the ticket office representative when ordering tickets.