Fatigued Friars rest up for Bears

Providence College hockey coach Paul Pooley said he is worried about his team’s physical state for Friday night’s 8 p.m. Hockey East semifinal against Maine at the FleetCenter in Boston.

His third-seeded Friars were extended to three games by No. 6 Boston University’s in their Hockey East quarterfinal series this weekend and Sunday’s deciding game went into double overtime. Maine eliminated Northeastern in two games with last Friday’s 6-3 triumph.

Junior right wing Marc Suderman’s deflection ended the longest Hockey East playoff game with 3:34 remaining in the second OT. The game last 96:26.

“We didn’t do anything Monday and Tuesday and we did hardly anything today. We cut practice short,” Pooley said Wednesday. “We played 11 periods in a span of 72 hours and, emotionally and physically, I’m concerned about that. I don’t want to burn them out now. But we need to practice. It’s a catch-22.”

Pooley’s desire to practice has been enhanced by Maine’s 4-2 and 5-2 wins over his Friars two weeks ago in which the Bears outshot PC 74-35.

“We know what they’re going to do but we need to change some things. Maine outplayed us and deserved to win those two games. And they’ll be well-rested. Friday night’s a different game but we need to be firing on all cylinders,” said Pooley.

The seventh-year Friar coach has been pleased with his club’s progress.

“We’ve come a long way but we need to continue to get better,” said Pooley.

Linemates Devin Rask (22 goals, 28 assists) and Peter Fregoe (15 & 20) have sparked the Friars and Pooley said freshman Cody Loughlean (5 & 5) has complemented them well. Drew Omicioli (11 & 14) had been on their line but he is injured and is listed as questionable by Pooley.

Saco’s Matt Libby (10 & 19) and Jay Leach (4 & 21), nephew of former Maine player Jon Leach and Bear assistant coach Jay Leach, headline the defense corps in front of goalies Nolan Schaefer (14-6-2 record, 2.27 goals-against average, .920 save percentage) and Boyd Ballard (7-5-3, 2.72, .911).

Pooley feels Maine has “four good, balanced lines that can make things happen. And [Marty} Kariya and [Niko] Dimitrakos are two very explosive players.”

Dimitrakos, who is nursing back spasms, didn’t practice for the third straight day on Wednesday.

If he can’t play, his place at left wing on a line with Chris Heisten and Don Richardson will be taken by either freshman Brendan Donovan or sophomore Gray Shaneberger, according to Maine coach Shawn Walsh.

Jackson adjusting to checking line

University of Maine freshman right winger Todd Jackson is used to scoring goals.

He had 23 goals and 18 assists in 63 games for the United States National Development team a year ago. He was their fourth leading scorer.

These days, he finds himself as the right winger on a checking line with Kevin Clauson and Robert Liscak.

“Being on a checking line is a little different. My focus is a little more defensive than it has been in the past,” said Jackson, who has three goals and seven assists in 36 games. “But I like it. It’s a good challenge. You get a lot of ice time playing against the other teams’ top lines. And we’ve definitely been getting a lot of scoring chances.”

The speedy Jackson, who also kills penalties, added that he is a “little disappointed” in his points but he doesn’t dwell on it.

“I just want to help the team out any way I can,” said the Cortland, N.Y., native.