Ex-Bears stand out in NHL

It was 10 years ago that Garth Snow and Mike Dunham backstopped the University of Maine’s hockey team to its first NCAA championship during a remarkable 42-1-2 season.

On Monday night at Madison Square Garden, the two of them were squaring off in one of the best rivalries in the NHL.

Snow, who has played superbly in place of the injured Chris Osgood, has helped elevate the New York Islanders into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Dunham, obtained in an early-season trade with Nashville, has been an important cog in the New York Rangers’ resurgence which has moved them into playoff contention.

Both turned in impressive performances in Monday’s 1-1 tie. Dunham finished with 36 saves and was chosen the game’s second star while Snow finished with 34 stops but had the more difficult saves.

Their styles are now similar.

NHL goalies rarely come out of their creases to challenge shooters, they put the paddle (long portion) of their sticks along the ice to cover the low shots and rely on their positioning and wingspan, thanks to the bulky equipment, to take care of the upper half of the net.

Dunham and Snow are both 6-foot-3 so shooters don’t have a lot of room upstairs to put the puck. They grew up on different sides of the track and developed differently.

Dunham was the highly touted prep school star while Snow was more of a blue-collar unknown.

Dunham’s dad is a golf pro while Snow’s runs a family roofing business/store.

Dunham had more talent while Snow compensated with a superior work ethic.

Off the ice, Snow was more outgoing. He has a quick wit and a great sense of humor.

Dunham was more soft-spoken and introverted. But, like Snow, he is pleasant.

“I don’t know how much they’ve changed since college. Garth will never change. He’ll always be the same fun-loving kid,” said Maine assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Grant Standbrook, who developed them at Maine.

“Mike had an easier time proving himself as a first-string goalie. Persistence has been a major factor in Garth’s success,” said Standbrook. “Both have been real solid [NHL] goaltenders.”

Standbrook has also noticed a change in Dunham’s work ethic.

“Dunham could play every game better than anyone on our ’92-93 team. He was our best athlete. He was also our laziest athlete at that time,” said Standbrook. “But he has become conscientious. He knows what it takes [to be successful in the NHL].”

The former U.S. Olympians have withstood the test of time.

Snow has a career 2.74 goals-against average in 297 career games for five teams while Dunham has a 2.66 GAA in 290 games for three organizations.

MSG may bid on Frozen Four

Speaking of Madison Square Garden, administrators at the New York City venue are considering making a bid for the Frozen Four. Buffalo, Boston, Columbus, Ohio and Milwaukee are the next four sites.

The fact MSG officials are exploring the possibility represents the growing interest in college hockey. It used to strictly be a regional sport. But the expansion of the NHL into the sunbelt states has given the sport more exposure.

It will never get respectable TV ratings due partly to the logistical problems presented by having two period breaks to fill. But it has come a long way over the last 10 years.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by e-mail at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.