Liscak’s versatility a big plus UMaine sophomore adjusts to help team

Adaptability and versatility are two valuable assets for any athlete.

University of Maine sophomore center Robert Liscak has been a model of both this season.

Liscak and Black Bear coach hockey coach Shawn Walsh consider his offensive numbers disappointing: 30 games, 6 goals, 7 assists.

“And he has been on the power play all year,” pointed out Walsh.

But Walsh has made Liscak his checking line center between Kevin Clauson and Todd Jackson for the past five games and that line has been anything but disappointing.

“They’ve done a great job,” said Walsh.

The line will also play a very important role in this weekend’s Hockey East series at Merrimack College because the Warriors boast one of the top lines in the conference in Marco Rosa between Anthony Aquino and Nick Parillo. That line has produced 36 of Merrimack’s 83 goals (43.4 percent) and 55 of its 143 assists (38.5 percent).

“They have good speed. If we can stop their speed and not allow them to move the puck quickly; if we can make them dump the puck into the offensive zone and have to go in and fight for it, they won’t be as effective,” said Liscak, who had six goals and seven assists in 27 games a year ago.

The line was put together after Maine was swept at Boston College on Jan. 26-27, allowing 11 goals in the two games including Brian Gionta’s five first-period goals in the 7-2 second-game Eagle triumph.

“Coach [Walsh] asked me after the BC series who, except the players on the first two lines, I would like to play with,” said Liscak. “I told him I wouldn’t mind playing with Kevin Clauson because he’s strong and works hard. Kevin always supports you, he works very well down [in the offensive zone] and he talks a lot.

“Todd is a really good skater and a smart player. He can turn from defense to offense within a second,” added Liscak.

Liscak also explained that just because they are considered a checking line, they still can get involved in the offense.

“We still create quite a few scoring chances. Kevin had a breakaway on Saturday night and Todd and I each had a couple of good shots,” said Liscak.

In fact, Liscak’s line had nine shots on goal during the weekend split while the line they were shadowing, UML’s top-scoring line of Laurent Meunier between Yorick Treille and Kyle Kidney, managed just three shots on goal and no points in the two games.

Jackson had an assist in Friday’s 6-2 Maine win.

“When a line works as hard as they do, they’re bound to create scoring chances. The quicker they get the puck out of the defensive zone, the faster they can produce something in the offensive zone,” said senior defenseman and co-captain A.J. Begg.

Liscak, who suffered a torn knee ligament in the last regular season game of his injury-marred season a year ago and missed the playoffs, said he would have liked to have put up better numbers this season but he doesn’t dwell on it.

“I just want success for our team. What’s the difference if I put up 50 points and we don’t make the playoffs? The season would be a disappointment,” said Liscak, a native of Skalica, Slovakia. “I can live without the points if we make the playoffs and have a good run.”

Walsh said that’s the type of player Liscak is.

“He’s a real team player. He’s smart, tough and he works hard,” said the Bear coach.