UMaine gearing up for second half Bears’ keys to success are hard work, physical style, emphasis on defense

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The way the Black Bears dominated a young Northeastern University team in their 5-2 Saturday night victory was exactly what the doctor ordered for the University of Maine men’s hockey team.

It re-established their blueprint for success: Outwork your opponent, be physical, play smart and think defense first.

Maine enters the Christmas break with an 11-5 record, 5-4 in Hockey East, good for fifth place.

“If you had told us [at the outset] that we’d be 11-5 going into the second half of the season, we would have taken it,” said junior left wing Keith Johnson. “We have a lot of positives going into the second half. I can see this team only going up from here.”

That should happen.

Ten of their final 18 league games are at home, including six against three of the four teams ahead of them in the standings: Boston College, Providence and New Hampshire.

Their 1.69 goals-against average, which is third best in the nation, has been an unexpected surprise. Sophomore Matt Lundin, whose 0.96 goals-against average and .957 save percentage lead the nation, and freshman Ben Bishop (2.17 GAA, .914 save percentage) have exceeded expectations.

Bishop, the Hockey East Goaltender of the Month for October, has played the tougher games.

He has struggled in his last three starts, going 0-3 with a 3.78 GAA and a .872 save percentage.

But he’s composed and confident. He’ll work through it.

Rotating them would probably work well until one emerges. It would also take a little pressure off them.

Maine has made its most substantial gains from last year in the special teams department.

Its 94.2 percent success rate on the penalty kill leads the nation and the Bears have the nation’s 12th best power play at 20.9 percent.

And their scoring on the power play has been spread out with seven players racking up six or more points.

Maine has given up four shorthanded goals, which has to be addressed.

The scandal involving wingers Mike Hamilton and Wes Clark, who were both suspended indefinitely after their involvement in an altercation at the apartment of another student, was a distraction.

But it wasn’t an excuse for the Bears’ lackluster play in recent weeks prior to Saturday’s impressive performance.

This is a team that has talent, but not enough of it to win games without the work ethic that has become a trademark of the program.

That is why it’s crucial for them to finish their checks and not try to do too much individually. They must also play with fearless tenacity in front of the opponent’s net to avoid scoring droughts that have plagued them in recent years.

The significant improvement in sophomore linemates Billy Ryan (4 goals, 12 assists) and Keenan Hopson (3 & 12) has been a major plus. Transfer John Hopson (4 & 6), Keenan’s brother, has supplied that line with a valuable physical presence and a scoring touch.

Captain Greg Moore (10 & 4) is playing the best hockey of his career and Michel Leveille (7 & 5) has been ever-dangerous most nights. Josh Soares (6 & 8) is a nice complement on the left wing with them.

Senior center Derek Damon (5 & 8) has become a more consistent two-way player.

Rob Bellamy (3 & 3) has added an offensive flair to his game but he is still at his best when he punishes opponents with his bone-rattling checks.

Junior Brent Shepheard (2 & 0) has to put a frustrating first half behind him and continue to be physical without taking unnecessary penalties.

Jon Jankus (3 & 3) and Johnson (1 & 5) have been productive role players.

Hamilton and Clark, when they are cleared to play, will give the team a lift and improve the depth and balance up front.

The defense corps has been quietly efficient.

Bret Tyler (2 & 8) provides some offense back there but the other regulars (Mike Lundin, Travis Wight, Steve Mullin, freshman Matt Duffy and Travis Ramsey) are stay-at-home types who have combined for only one goal and 11 assists.

Freshmen Bryan Plaszcz and Simon Danis-Pepin have offensive abilities but they are still adjusting to the defensive aspect of the college game.

“A lot of things have happened to us but we’ve gotten a lot of things settled,” said Damon. “Now it’s time to get down to business. We’ve got all Hockey East games after Christmas and it’s important that we come out and play three solid periods every game.”