Hard work key factor for Maine

loading...

The University of Maine men’s hockey team’s 19-2-3 record is the second-best at the 24-game mark in the school’s 26-year history.

The 1992-93 national championship team, which went 42-1-2, was 22-0-2 at the 24-game mark.

This year’s team has certainly overachieved.

It is a team that has found ways to win.

It has won games it shouldn’t have won.

In two separate games, Maine had to overcome two one-goal deficits in the final five minutes to earn ties.

Surrendering a go-ahead goal in the final five minutes of a game means a loss the vast majority of the time.

It’s deflating.

Answering that go-ahead goal and then giving up another almost always means a loss.

It’s devastating.

The tying goals against Western Michigan and Merrimack were attained with the goalie pulled in favor of the extra attacker.

Merrimack College hockey coach Chris Serino was talking about the University of Maine hockey program while sitting in the renovated Warrior locker room/coaches office facility.

Serino is one of the real good guys in college hockey and knows the Maine program well from coaching against the Bears during his seven-year stint as an assistant at UNH as well as his five years behind the Warrior bench.

“You know what I like about Maine?” he posed.

“They have skill, but they also work hard. They always work hard,” said Serino.

Serino respects a team that combines skill and work ethic. There are plenty of teams with one or the other. It’s rare to find a team with both.

Serino has a fondness for Maine, unless his team’s playing them.

He said the letters and e-mails of support he received from Maine fans during his battle with throat cancer last year were overwhelming.

And one of the people who took time to give him advice on what to expect in his cancer fight was former Maine coach Shawn Walsh, who lost his battle with kidney cancer 16 months ago.

On this particular evening Serino’s Warriors, one of the pleasant surprises this season after being picked to finish last in the league’s preseason coaches poll, would go toe-to-toe with the nation’s No. 1-ranked team and had their share of opportunities to upset Maine.

But the Bears prevailed 2-1.

The upside for Maine is eight of its final 12 games are at home and the Bears are in great shape to claim a fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and their 13th in 17 years.

Maine’s seven prominent seniors have combined for 52.1 percent of the offense this season, and they have a 92-33-22 record during their 31/2 years at Maine.

So what will the Bears need to do to better themselves over the final 12 regular-season games?

1. They will receive a boost from senior center Tommy Reimann when he snaps out of his current goal-scoring slump (one goal in his last 18 games).

2. With the exception of Francis Nault, the other five regulars on defense have combined for only three goals. They need to get their shots off quicker and get them on net. They have done a real good job protecting the front of their own net.

3. Maine could use a more consistent power play. They have only two power-play goals in their last 15 chances. They are still experimenting with personnel.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231 or 1-800-310-8600. The email address is lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.