Whitehead optimistic despite losing 2 straight Bears at Alfond this weekend for 2 league games

After absorbing their first two losses of the season and losing their No. 1 ranking, the University of Maine Black Bears returned to the ice Tuesday to begin preparation for a Friday night-Sunday afternoon (2:30) Hockey East home set with Northeastern and UMass-Lowell, respectively.

Third-year Maine coach Tim Whitehead said he was encouraged by the fact his Bears bounced back from a lackluster performance in a 4-1 loss at Boston College Friday night to play “much harder and a lot smarter” in Saturday’s 6-3 loss at New Hampshire.

“We made progress that second night,” said Whitehead. “You always want to win but a couple of tough losses can help you focus in on the areas we need to improve. As a result, it makes you a better team.”

One glaring problem area is the power play, which is 0-for-17 in its last three games and surrendered a shorthanded goal to Boston College.

“We’ve got to simplify things and we need more shooting options,” said Whitehead. “We’ve got to wrist the puck to the front of the net, screen the goalie and battle for second shots. We’ve got to work hard to get the puck back.”

He said they will make personnel changes on the power play as well as alter the strategy.

Whitehead also said they have to cut down on penalties and do a better job on the penalty kill.

“We have to be in better defensive position instead of using our sticks to hook people,” said Whitehead whose Bears have given up two power-play goals in the last eight chances.

Two of the “big plusses” on the weekend were defensemen Travis Wight, a sophomore, and freshman Tom Zabkowicz.

They replaced Prestin Ryan (game disqualification vs. BC) and Troy Barnes (concussion) against UNH.

“Travis hadn’t played in a game this season and had to drive down from Orono Saturday [because he wasn’t in the travel party]. He competed extremely well and gave us a nice boost. You can expect to see him in the lineup again soon. The same with Zabkowicz,” said Whitehead.

Wight played in 36 games last season and had four assists.

Whitehead added that sophomore transfer defenseman Jeff Mushaluk “had a very strong weekend and is coming into his own.”

After this weekend’s games Maine will travel to Amherst, Mass., to take on the UMass Minutemen on Nov. 21, followed by a game against the Friars in Providence on Nov. 22.

The Bears then have Thanksgiving weekend off before another road series against Merrimack on Dec. 5-6 in North Andover, Mass.