UMaine’s Kariya on a ‘fantastic’ scoring streak

University of Maine senior center Marty Kariya has been an offensive catalyst for the men’s hockey team ever since he set foot on the Orono campus.

He has averaged nearly a point per game (.985 to be exact).

But the last four games have been something special.

He has five goals and four assists over that span to extend his points streak to eight games (6 goals, 8 assists) entering this weekend’s home series against the Northeastern University Huskies.

“He has played fantastic,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “He has really elevated his game. He is playing with so much passion. It’s inspiring.”

His linemate, senior left wing Lucas Lawson, said Kariya “has really exploded. He has found a fifth gear. Teams are having trouble stopping him.”

Kariya, who has 135 points in 137 career games, has taken his current success in stride.

“Sometimes it’s just a lot of luck and a lot of good timing,” said Kariya.

“I had a good talk with Grant [Maine assistant Grant Standbrook] right after the last game before the Christmas break and I’ve thought a lot about that,” said Kariya, who is Maine’s leading scorer with 10 goals and 20 assists in 20 games.

“I have pretty solid overall skills so it’s not like I’m going to improve a lot [over the second half of the season]. I mean I certainly can improve in all those areas but that’s not going to make a big difference. Nor can I improve in such a short span of time. But there are more little things that maybe have to do with focusing in on a higher plane and how you’re getting open to get the puck more,” added Kariya. “I’ve been getting the puck a little bit more and that’s when I’m most effective. If I have the puck then things are going to happen either for myself or my teammates.”

He said it has been his work ethic “off the puck” that represents the most significant area of improvement from previous years or even the first half of the season until now.

One of the subtle tips Standbrook gave him was “hustling to the bench [for a line change] with my eyes on the puck. You never know when the puck is going to come to you. I’ve also been coming off the ice at the right time. My shifts had been too long. By taking five or 10 seconds off my shift, I’ll have that much more energy for the rest of the game.”

Another positive development has been the emergence of freshman right wing Derek Damon on his line with Lawson.

“Derek has worked very well with our line. He has added a scoring threat to our line. That certainly helps. He also gets me the puck more often and that has been a big key,” said Kariya, who has been able to overcome the death of his father, T.K., two weeks ago to lead the Bears to the Everblades College Hockey Classic title.

“Marty is a tremendous player. If you get open, he’ll find you,” said Bangor’s Damon, who feels “very fortunate” to be Kariya’s linemate.

He also said “everybody on the team feeds off Marty.”

Northeastern coach Bruce Crowder, a former Maine assistant, said he is glad he won’t be facing any more Kariyas after this season.

Marty’s brothers, Paul and Steve, preceded him to Maine.

“I’m sick of coaching against Kariyas for a decade,” laughed Crowder. “Marty is a fantastic player, just like his older siblings.”