Bears, Friars to clash Defense corps key for UMaine

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They have combined for 14 goals and 43 assists in 171 games between them this season.

But, more importantly, they have been a major reason the University of Maine’s hockey team has allowed two goals or less 24 times in 38 games this season.

Senior A.J. Begg; juniors Doug Janik, Peter Metcalf and Eric Turgeon; sophomore Cliff Loya; and freshman Francis Nault comprise the defense corps that has helped hold opponents to only 2.33 goals per game. That ties them with Mercyhurst (Pa.) of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for fifth best in the nation.

During Maine’s current 9-1-1 stretch, the Bears have held opponents to 2.09 goals per game.

They will have their hands full Friday night when the second-seeded Bears face third seed Providence, the nation’s 18th-highest scoring team (3.32 gpg), in the 8 p.m. Hockey East semifinal at the FleetCenter in Boston.

No. 1 Boston College takes on No. 5 UMass-Lowell in Friday’s 5 p.m. opener. Saturday’s championship game is set for a 7 p.m. start.

“They have a very good defense corps,” said UML coach Tim Whitehead. “They’re very balanced. They have a couple who can put points on the board but they all play good defense and that’s important. You don’t get a lot of good scoring chances against them.”

Maine coach Shawn Walsh said, “They have been terrific. They each have their own roles. Some guys play 14 minutes a game and others play 21. We’re very balanced back there.”

Turgeon said, “We take pride, as a group, shutting teams down. We try to hold teams to 10, 15, 20 shots and one or two goals per game. We all challenge each other.”

Co-captain Begg said he feels they have all adapted to their roles and have been steady defensively.

“And we’ll get involved in the offense when we need to,” said Begg.

The primary beneficiary of their performances has been junior goalie Matt Yeats.

“They have made my job easier. They have kept the majority of the shots to the outside and haven’t given up many odd-man rushes,” said Yeats, referring to three-on-twos, two-on-ones or breakaways.

Sophomore center Marty Kariya agreed, saying, “It’s very hard to get many good scoring opportunities against them. They’re all mature and they all know how to play.”

In addition, each of them has scored at least once.

Walsh considers Begg (2 goals, 5 assists), one of the league’s best stay-at-home defensemen. Walsh will have Begg and tandem mate Janik (2 & 13) on the ice protecting a one-goal lead in the final minute of play.

Metcalf (5 & 9) and Nault (2 & 11) are their offensive specialists while Loya (1 & 2) and Turgeon (2 & 3) are more along the Begg mold.

Metcalf is paired with Loya and Nault is teamed with Turgeon.

The defensemen are comfortable with their partners and they cover for each other.

“If I go to get involved in the offense, I know Francis will cover for me. And if he goes, I’ll cover for him,” said Turgeon.

Metcalf and Loya said the tenacious backchecking of the forwards has been extremely helpful.

“That enables us to step up at the red line and makes our jobs easier,” said Metcalf.

The defensemen can then pounce on an opponent’s turnover and rush the puck or feed it to a forward and jump into the play.

“And the forwards do a real good job filling in for us at the point [in the offensive zone] if we jump into the attack,” said Loya.

Bear notes… Maine left winger Niko Dimitrakos, who missed three days of practice with back spasms, practiced Thursday and said he hopes to be ready tonight. “I’ll have a couple more treatments. It felt better as it loosened up,” said Dimitrakos.

Bears blanked on All-HE teams

The Black Bears, who finished second, and last-place UMass were the only schools not to have somebody chosen to one of the three All-Hockey East teams (first, second, or rookie) which were announced at a Thursday night banquet.

Junior defenseman Peter Metcalf was an honorable mention.

?This just shows that the sum of our parts is greater than the individual parts,? said Maine coach Shawn Walsh. ?This team relies on everybody.?