Black Bears return to ice Tourney next for UMaine

ORONO – A rested University of Maine hockey team did some drills and a lot of scrimmaging during a captain’s practice (without coaches) on Monday at Alfond Arena.

They have had nine days off since being swept at home by UMass in the Hockey East quarterfinals.

However, Maine is currently tied for fifth with Ferris State in the PairWise rankings that will be used to seed the 16-team NCAA Tournament on Sunday night. Colorado College, Cornell, UNH and BU are the top four.

Most of the players said the break was good for the team.

“Some of the guys were mentally tired and a week off gave them a chance to get rejuvenated and focus on what we have to do,” said senior right winger Gray Shaneberger.

Shaneberger doesn’t feel the team’s 2-5-1 finish caused irreparable damage to their confidence.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of confidence. It’s a matter of being consistent for three periods, doing the things we did well at the beginning of the year. Not have two good shifts and take four off,” said Shaneberger.

He also doesn’t expect the team to be rusty.

“Not this late in the season with seniors who have been there [NCAA Tournament] four years in a row. It’s hockey time,” said Shaneberger.

Senior center Marty Kariya wasn’t so sure.

“Obviously, there are pros and cons,” said Kariya. “We won’t be able to answer those questions until we play.

“People are worried about how we did in the Hockey East playoffs. And the last two months have been awful. But it is what it is. Sixteen teams have a fresh start. It’s time to go to work,” said Kariya, Maine’s leading scorer.

“I talked to a few people outside the team, some very prestigious hockey people, and they told me based on the few games they saw early in the season, we were the best team they had seen all year to date,” said Kariya. “Our personnel hasn’t changed. It’s a matter of stepping up and believing we can do it. At this point, no one really believes we can do it. Hopefully, that’s going to change in the next week.”

Workhorse senior defenseman Cliff Loya suffered a gash on his knee skiing at Sugarloaf but said he expects to get the stitches out later this week and “should be 100 percent” for their first round NCAA Tournament game on March 28 or 29.

“It’s nice to get back on the ice,” said senior defenseman Tommy Reimann. “I feel like it’s preseason.”

Reimann spent most of his idle week recuperating from back spasms.

“Your body needs a rest when you’re this old,” joked the 24-year-old Reimann.