Patriots, Bears share key traits

What do the University of Maine men’s hockey team and the New England Patriots have in common? Plenty. First of all, both have exceeded expectations so far.

The Black Bears were picked to finish fourth in Hockey East and they have gotten off to the best start in the school’s history at 7-0.

The Patriots are 7-2, including seven wins in their last eight games, after an embarrassing season-opening blowout loss to Buffalo.

Second, both teams are resilient.

The Patriots beat Denver 30-26 at Mile High Stadium Monday night without seven players who were starters on opening day, including five on the defensive side of the ball.

The Maine hockey team began the season without players who produced 60.7 percent of their goals last year.

Neither team has dwelled on its misfortune. They have simply filled the holes with players who have produced for them.

Five rookies saw significant playing time for the Patriots on Monday night while Maine has had eight newcomers in the lineup regularly.

Players on both teams know there is a responsibility that goes with wearing the jersey.

Maine has made the NCAA Tournament five straight times and has played for the national championship twice in that span, winning in 1999.

The Patriots won the Super Bowl two seasons ago.

The head coaches are similar in demeanor. Neither one is a screamer but the Patriots’ Bill Belichick and Maine’s Tim Whitehead are quietly intense. Both teams are always well-prepared.

The players on both teams are unselfish and that has been instrumental in their success.

They have left their egos in the locker room, for the most part. Both appear to have a healthy team chemistry.

Maine senior left winger and captain Todd Jackson said the key to Maine’s success has been “hard work. People have stayed positive and stuck to the game plan,” said Jackson.

That could have been echoed by a Patriot.

Both have marquee players but not nearly as many as some of the other teams in their respective leagues.

Tom Brady, Troy Brown, Adam Vinatieri and Ty Law are well-known throughout NFL circles as well as emerging star Richard Seymour.

Jimmy Howard, Frank Doyle, Colin Shields and Todd Jackson are names that would be familiar to Hockey East followers.

Both are physical, have good special teams and they’ve been exceptional defensively. Maine’s 1.29 goals-against average is third best in the country. The Patriots have allowed 17.2 points per game which is the seventh-best in the NFL.

Both have die-hard followings which make them very difficult to beat at home. The Patriots are 4-0 at Gillette Stadium while Maine is 3-0 at Alfond Arena.

Bears liked new blue jerseys

Speaking of the Black Bears, they unveiled their new powder blue jerseys with the bear on the front for the BU game last Saturday night and the players were impressed. It will be worn on special occasions.

“I loved it. It was a lot of fun,” said goalie Jimmy Howard.

“It was awesome. It exceeded my expectations,” said senior right wing Colin Shields.

“I’m a big fan of the traditional white [home] jerseys but this was good for the fans. It created a little buzz. It was nice,” said junior right wing John Ronan.

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