UMaine defense improves Black Bears learning to make the safe play

After surrendering three or more goals 10 times through their first 19 games, the University of Maine Black Bears have allowed three or more goals just once over their last seven contests.

Maine has given up only 11 goals in those seven games and is 5-1-1.

“Our defense is getting better and better,” said junior center Robert Liscak. “Everybody is buying into the system and everybody is playing well.

“We’re pressuring the puck a lot better. Earlier this season, we were so concerned with defense, we would peel off quickly, even in the offensive zone, in order to pick up our men. That would create a big gap [between the forwards and defensemen],” explained Liscak.

He said that gap gave opposing puck carriers more time to reach the red line and make a play or dump the puck into the Maine zone.

Maine junior center Michael Schutte said the change represents a difference in philosophy between interim head coach Tim Whitehead and the late Shawn Walsh.

“Coach Walsh wanted us peeling off and picking up an open man in the neutral zone. This year, we’re pressuring the puck more and creating turnovers,” said Schutte. “One of the best at it is Marty [Kariya]. He’s so fast, he catches up to the puck.”

Whitehead said since the Bears are so young on defense with three first-year defensemen playing on a regular basis, it was important to tweak the system “to try to keep the puck out of our zone. The less time it is in there, the better.”

He also said since his forwards are fast and experienced, they’re effective pressuring the puck and forcing turnovers, which lead to scoring opportunities.

“They’ve been doing a good job in transition. We aren’t as good in the defensive zone but we’re getting better there,” said Whitehead.

Schutte and senior defenseman and captain Peter Metcalf said the young players have learned to make the safe play.

“They’re keeping the game simple. The defensemen are getting the puck up to the forwards,” said Schutte.

“And we haven’t been throwing the puck up the middle. We’ve been chipping it off the glass or the boards [to get it out of the defensive zone],” said Metcalf.

Liscak added, “our freshmen aren’t freshmen any more. They’ve been learning from the older guys. They’re used to the game conditions and know how to read situations.”

The other key has been the play of senior goalie Mike Morrision, who is 12-2-2 and is second in Hockey East in goals-against average (1.95) and save percentage (.934).

“A lot of it has to do with Mo. He’s been playing great,” said junior center Tommy Reimann.

The 15-7-4 Bears, 12-3-2 in their last 17 games, have also shown a resiliency. They were without four injured forwards in their 4-1 win over UMass-Lowell on Saturday night. Three left the team earlier this season.

But freshman Matt Greyeyes and sophomore Cameron Lyall have been the latest players to step in for injured mates and play effectively.

“This shows how deep our team is,” said Liscak. “Anybody can step in and contribute on any given night.”

“Our practices are so intense, it gets everybody ready to play,” said Reimann.

The Bears should regain the services of right winger Gray Shaneberger (concussion) for the home series against league leader and archrival New Hampshire this weekend according to hockey trainer Mark Badurak. However, he listed Chris Heisted (sprained ankle) as doubtful and said Schutte (shoulder injury) and Donny Richardson (broken thumb) won’t play.