Richardson back in UM lineup Positive attitude key for junior

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ORONO – He hadn’t scored a goal since he was wearing University of Vermont colors in 1999.

So when University of Maine junior right winger Donny Richardson scored twice in Saturday’s 6-2 win over Ohio State in their Everblades College Hockey Classic semifinal in Estero, Fla., it was a welcome relief.

“It was nice to get my first goal in a Maine uniform,” said Richardson. “I was excited. I loved every minute of it.”

The 5-foot-5 Richardson, one of the smallest players in college hockey, has spent parts of three years at Maine and has endured his share of frustration.

He transferred to Maine midway though the 1999-2000 season and sat out the mandatory year.

He made his debut in the Everblades Tournament a year ago. He didn’t register a point in the 4-2 win over Clarkson but was selected the game’s first star.

He played in 16 of 22 games over the second half of the season and finished with four assists.

“I was out of [game] shape after being out for a year,” explained Richardson, who said he couldn’t afford to be a step slow at his size.

He was a healthy scratch in nine of Maine’s first 12 games this season but received a chance at UMass on Nov. 30 when Todd Jackson reinjured his shoulder. Richardson notched an assist on his first shift when linemate Ben Murphy converted a rebound of Richardson’s shot.

He has played in four of the five games since. He missed the second Boston College game with a deep leg bruise.

“I wasn’t going to go on the UMass trip but when the injury occurred, I went,” said Richardson. “I didn’t have time to think about it so I just went out and played hockey. After we scored that goal, our line took off from there.”

Richardson has primarily been on a line with left winger Murphy. Chad Anderson was the center against UMass and now it’s junior Chris Heisten.

He said scoring his first two goals has helped his confidence.

“Our line has been moving the puck well. We have good chemistry,” said Richardson. “We don’t have a [designated] fourth line on our team. We roll four lines out there and we all play hard. I’m happy with our line. We’re getting our chances.”

Maine interim head coach Tim Whitehead said Richardson has made an attitude adjustment that has been the key to his insertion into the lineup.

“When he returned from the Thanksgiving break, I saw a big difference in his attitude,” said Whitehead. “He has a much more positive focus. He has a much more determined attitude. He has wanted to do whatever he could to help the team. He has taken the opportunities given to him and made the most of them instead of worrying about getting more shifts. As a result, he’s been getting more shifts.

“His energy level has been high and he’s been more consistent than he was early in the season,” added Whitehead.

Richardson concurred.

“After the Thanksgiving break, I took a different approach. I don’t look at the negatives any more, I keep things positive. I take things as they come and work hard in practice,” said Richardson.

He sees his role as being a tenacious, high-energy player.

“I’ll try to draw some penalties and be a pain in the ass to the other teams, so to speak. I think our line will get its points. We’ll have to work for them but there’s a lot of offensive skill on our line with Murphy and Heisten,” said Richardson.

“Donny gives us speed. He can generate offense and win loose pucks. He is another veteran in the lineup who has been through these situations before,” said Whitehead.

Maine returns to action against visiting Providence on Friday night at 7 before traveling to Portland for a 2 p.m. Sunday game against Dartmouth.

Richardson has two goals and an assist in eight games.

Levesque enjoys first practice

Fort Kent’s Kirk Levesque, the new Black Bear third-string goalie, practiced for the first time with the team Tuesday morning. He is the first player on the Maine roster from Aroostook County.

“I did better than I expected. I thought it went well,” said freshman Levesque, who played hockey in New Brunswick while also playing baseball, soccer and basketball at Fort Kent High School.

“It took me about an hour to relax,” added Levesque. “[Goalies] Mike Morrison and Matt Yeats were very helpful.”

Levesque will practice with the team every day this week and once a week after redshirt Frank Doyle returns from vacation.

Doyle is ineligible because he transferred and played Major Junior hockey. He will miss the first four or five games next season and recruit Jimmy Howard will be the No. 1 goalie. But the No. 3 job is up for grabs as both Morrison and Yeats graduate.

“He looked fine today,” said Whitehead. “I’m sure it’ll be an adjustment for him. He works hard and he has a good attitude. He has great natural instincts. I’m sure he’ll improve because he wants to be a player. We’re excited to have him on board.”