No easy marks for UM Bears can’t look past Quinnipiac

The University of Maine men’s hockey team has consecutive wins over Northeastern, Boston University, and New Hampshire. The Bears have elevated themselves to fourth in the latest U.S. College Hockey Online poll. They haven’t lost at home since Nov. 9, 2001, (3-2 in overtime to Boston University).

But the 9-1-1 Black Bears know that Quinnipiac University’s Bobcats (Conn.) will be a formidable opponent tonight at Alfond Arena.

They have no intention of taking the MAAC leaders lightly or looking ahead to their Dec. 6-7 visit to Boston College. Those will be Maine’s next games.

“We have to stay focused,” insisted Maine sophomore left winger Ben Murphy. “Last year, we had some slip-ups. Sacred Heart tied us 4-4 up here. We know Quinnipiac is a good team. They played Northeastern hard the other night. They only lost 2-1.”

Sophomore defenseman Matt Deschamps concurred.

“All the teams right about now are very good opponents. From BC to Quinnipiac. Up and down the board, everybody can play,” said Deschamps. “You saw it the other night with Northeastern and Quinnipiac. We just can’t be off our game because we did that against Sacred Heart last year and that didn’t feel very good. We have to make sure we’re all about business and that’s what we’ll do.”

Deschamps added that the Bears do not want to leave for the Thanksgiving break coming off a loss.

“We definitely want to go out guns a-blazing so when we come back, we’re ready,” said Deschamps.

Maine junior left wing Cameron Lyall said, “We don’t want to take a step back before we go into BC. We don’t want that to build.”

Lyall and the Bears also know that Quinnipiac is expected to vie for its second straight NCAA Tournament berth, so a victory could be meaningful in the eyes of the NCAA tournament selection committee.

“Every game is just as important as another, especially when it comes to getting into the NCAA Tournament,” said Lyall.

Maine coach Tim Whitehead said the Bobcats are a “hell of a hockey team. They’re a smart team. We’re going to have our hands full and our players know that. They’re a very strong defensive team with excellent goaltending. They’ve been very stingy.”

“We’ve got to make sure we put plenty of pucks on net, drive the net, and take the goalie’s eyes away,” said Whitehead, noting that the Bobcat losses were 2-1 to Lake Superior State at the Black Bear Classic in Orono, 3-1 to Army, and 2-1 to Northeastern.

He is also fully aware that Quinnipiac has scored on 33.8 percent of its power-play chances, so his Bears must continue their exceptional play on the penalty kill.