After spending three years as a defenseman, Bangor’s Jared Gordon has returned to forward for the Colby College hockey team this season and the senior is off to his best start.

Gordon is the team’s second-leading scorer with three goals and six assists in five games. The left wing is on Colby’s top line with fellow seniors Nick Bayley (6 goals, 7 assists) and right wing Joel Morash (1 & 3).

Gordon leads the 4-1 Mules with two game-winning goals, including the overtime winner against New England College (N.H.) that triggered their current four-game winning streak.

Colby coach Jim Tortorella moved him back to forward because the Mules have depth on defense thanks to the infusion of some impressive freshmen defensemen.

“That allowed us to move him to a position he’s more comfortable in,” said Tortorella.

Gordon had been a forward his entire career before coming to Colby.

In addition to his regular shift, Gordon is also on a power-play unit, kills penalties and plays in four-on-four situations.

Gordon said that ice time has provided him with the “ideal situation.

“You want to put up points and there’s more ice to play with on special teams,” said Gordon, whose adaptability was praised by Tortorella.

“He has the ability to adapt to what we ask him to do,” said Tortorella. “He’s a highly skilled player and, at times, he is so skilled that it got in the way of his performance. He tried to do too much with his skill. Now he understands he has to keep it simple and use his skill just when it’s necessary. He has been making the easy play.”

“I’m having a lot more fun. Not just because I’m back at forward but I have a different mind-set this year,” said Gordon. “This is my last year of competitive hockey and I want to have a blast with it. It’s a game. It has to be fun.”

He said the transition back to forward wasn’t difficult.

“I know the systems. I’ve played every position,” said Gordon, who felt his time as a defenseman has benefited him as a forward.

“It gives you a different perspective. It would help any player,” said the 6-foot-1, 187-pound Gordon, an art history major.

He said scoring the OT winner gave him a boost while making the transition.

“That was key. It’s all about starting off on the right foot and building on it,” said Gordon.

Tortorella said when Gordon plays with confidence like he is these days, he “generates a lot of momentum. He knows he needs to be a major contributor this year, not just take a few shifts.”

“It’s reassuring to know I still have it [as a forward],” said the 23-year-old Gordon, who had played a few games at forward for the Mules before this season. “I understand the systems a lot more. I’ve taken on more of a senior role and I’m enjoying it. I’m getting back to my roots. My years on defense were fun. I was learning the game again. Now I’m getting back to how things used to be.

“I chose to be a forward growing up for one reason and now I’m back there. I’m making plays, scoring goals, getting assists. I’m having fun in a different way,” Gordon said.

Gordon had two goals and four assists in 25 games on defense a year ago after notching 1 & 10 in 23 games two seasons ago and 3 & 2 in 20 games his freshman year. He spent three years at Bangor High before going to St. Paul’s (N.H.) prep school for two years and spending a year with the Exeter Snow Devils in the Eastern Junior Hockey League.

He is looking forward to Friday’s game with arch-rival Bowdoin.

“It’s a blast. Everybody from home goes to the games,” said Gordon.

Thorpe helps team to title

Newcastle’s Ben Thorpe, a sophomore fullback on the Messiah College men’s soccer team, helped the Falcons to the NCAA Division III national championship recently.

The 2003 Lincoln Academy graduate played in eight games, including one start, and scored a goal and an assist.

It was the third national title in five years for Messiah, which beat UC-Santa Cruz 4-0 in the championship game. The Falcons were 23-2 this season and did not allow a goal in their five tournament games.

Thorpe was named to the Maine Soccer Coaches Association’s Western Maine Class B all-star team and the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B first team in 2002.

Snyder continues hot start

Lindsey Snyder of Bangor continues to break new ground as a freshman swimmer at Central Connecticut State.

Last weekend Snyder set a school and meet record in the 200-yard backstroke, posting a time of 2 minutes, 5.60 seconds to win the event during competition in the Nutmeg Invitational in New Britain, Conn.

The Bangor High graduate also won the 100 back and swam on three relays for the Blue Devils and was named the Northeast Conference Women’s Swimming Athlete of the Week. Her times in the 100 and 200 back are both tops in the NEC so far this season.

Snyder broke the school record in the 100 breaststroke earlier in the season.

UMF joins service campaign

The men’s and women’s basketball teams at the University of Maine-Farmington will join in the holiday spirit this weekend while participating in the “Hats, Hearts and Hands” campaign.

The Beavers play their final games of the semester Saturday at Dearborn Gymnasium against the University of New England. The women’s game tips off at 1 p.m., with the men’s game to follow.

The UMF athletic department is offering free admission to fans who bring a donation for “Hats, Hearts and Hands.” Also, 10 percent of the gate receipts will be donated to the program.

As part of the doubleheader, UMF alum Jon Hayes, the UNE men’s coach, squares off against his mentor, Beavers coach Dick Meader.