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ANN ARRBOR, Mich. – The first thing that stands out when you look at Maine junior defenseman Prestin Ryan’s stat sheet is the number of penalty minutes: 114.
That has set the school single-season record.
His penchant for losing his cool has driven his own fans crazy at times.
But Ryan has also been Maine’s best defenseman of late, according to several of his mates, and he has controlled his temper like he did in the playoffs a year ago when he took just a couple of minors in Maine’s eight postseason games (Hockey East and NCAA Tournament).
“I finally have some confidence back in my game and I’ve got my brain under control,” said Ryan, who will be an important cog in Maine’s post-season hopes beginning with Saturday afternoon’s Midwest Regional game against Michigan.
He gives the Bears a physical presence. And with leg injuries sustained by Cliff Loya and Francis Nault leaving them less than 100 percent, Ryan could log a lot of ice time.
“I’m real excited to play some good hockey. This is pressure hockey. If you lose, you’re done,” said Ryan.
He knows he can’t afford to take bad penalties.
“This time of year, it’s all about control. I’m pretty sure I have it right now. I just want to play good hockey and help our team,” said Ryan.
“If he’s nice and calm and relaxed like he has been lately, he has probably been our best defenseman over this bad stretch,” said Maine senior center and assistant captain Marty Kariya. “If he keeps playing like this, he could be huge. But if he acts immature like he does occasionally and takes bad penalties, he’ll be detrimental. The western referees love to call penalties and I’m sure they’ll be keeping an eye on him.”
Senior right wing Gray Shaneberger said, “He has given our team a tremendous boost. When he stays out of the box, keeps up his physical intensity and makes smart plays, he’s a real asset.”
Ryan was benched for two games late in February for his ineffective play and penalty-prone nature but he has responded with five solid performances.
“After sitting out for those two games, I came back with a whole new outlook, towards things besides hockey, too,” said Ryan. “That has helped me out a lot. Before that, I’d change my stick 13 times and I took a lot of penalties that didn’t help the team.”
“He has been awesome,” said Loya.
Ryan said he loves playoff hockey.
“There’s nothing better,” said Ryan, an exceptional skater and passer who also possesses a blistering slap shot.
Ryan has a goal and eight assists in 36 games and is a plus-nine.
He admits that he is frustrated that college hockey doesn’t allow players to protect their teammates. Fighting is not allowed in the college game. It results in a game disqualifcation for that game and the next one.
“I was taught to play like I do. It’s hard sometimes to watch a guy like Marty [Kariya] get axed all game long and there’s nothing you can do about it. That’s one thing that’s bad about college hockey,” said Ryan.
No stock in omens
Looking for omens as Maine girds for battle with Michigan in the NCAA Midwest Regional?
Try this. The Black Bears are 3-0 all-time against the Wolverines in postseason play. Ironically, the Bears are 0-3 against Michigan in regular season play.
Maine head coach Tim Whitehead isn’t putting too much stock in omens.
“If this was maybe a pro team, maybe this might be a factor for us, but I don’t really think it has much to do with this game,” he said at Friday’s press conference. “I would have to say I probably put no significance in that.”
Michigan coach Red Berenson said he hasn’t talked to his team about it.
“This is not a grudge match, it’s more of a respect match,” he said.
Three years later
The last time Maine and Michigan met on the ice, the Black Bears skated off with a 5-2 triumph in the 2000 NCAA Frozen Four semifinals.
Twelve of the 54 players who will be lacing up their skates for Saturday afternoon’s NCAA Midwest regional semifinal at Yost Arena were on the bench or on the ice for that game.
Seven of them wore Maine’s navy blue, powder blue, and white uniforms. All of them remember it, but some better than others.
“All I remember is we had to wait a long time to play that game,” said Bears senior forward Lucas Lawson, referring to a four-overtime, six-hour NCAA quarterfinal game between St. Lawrence and Boston University which preceded the Maine-Michigan game.
“I did score the game-winner … on my birthday,” Maine senior forward Chris Heisten said through a wide grin.
Obviously, Michigan seniors remember things a bit less fondly.
“It seems like ages ago,” said Michigan senior forward and captain Jed Ortmeyer. “I remember the first part of the game going well for us. I think we were up 2-1 going into the third period.
“We relaxed in our locker room and they jumped on it. Before we knew it, it was 5-2 and the game was over with and our season was done. It just goes to show you how important it is to play a full, 60-minute game.”
Hot sellers
The souvenir stand at Yost Arena is well stocked with T-shirts, commemorative pucks, sweatshirts and other items bearing the logos and teams connected with the NCAA Midwest Regional and the Frozen Four, but the most popular is also one of the least expensive.
The Frozen Four souvenir pins, which come in two styles and cost $6 each, feature the Frozen Four logo on a silver background with the location (Buffalo, N.Y.) and year superimposed over two hockey sticks.
They may not be on sale much longer.
One stand attendant said he’ll be surprised if those things were still around by the end of the first period of Saturday’s first game.
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