ORONO – Freshman goalie Ben Bishop’s tough outing in Saturday’s 5-4 loss at Boston University hasn’t forced coach Tim Whitehead to install sophomore Matt Lundin as the No. 1 goalie although that could still happen.

Maine entertains Providence on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Matt will play on Friday night,” said Whitehead. “Ben had a tough outing Saturday but he has also had some great ones. One game doesn’t make a player, positively or negatively. We’re still committed to giving them both an opportunity. If Matt surfaces above Ben, we’ll give him the lion’s share of games.

“We want to be careful we don’t overreact to one game. Ben has had a great freshman season,” added Whitehead.

Bishop allowed five goals on 14 shots in two periods. He faced five Grade-A (high-percentage) shots on goal and four found the net.

“I didn’t see that many shots and I just couldn’t get into a rhythm,” said Bishop. “But I still have my confidence. I don’t think I’ve played a bad game yet although that last goal against BU [was a bad one]. I’m going to keep working on moving around the crease like I’ve been doing all year.”

Lundin currently leads the nation in goals-against average (1.26) and save percentage (.949) while Bishop has a 2.43 GAA and .901 save percentage.

Lundin made 26 saves in Friday night’s 3-2 loss at BU. He stopped all nine shots he saw during Saturday’s third period.

Lundin said he isn’t concerned about the goaltending rotation.

“All I’m worried about right now is stopping pucks, keep doing my job,” said Lundin. “Whatever coach decides, that’s his job, not mine. My job is to stop pucks. Hopefully, I’ll continue to do that.”

He also feels Bishop will bounce back.

“It’s impossible for a goalie to go through a whole season without making a little mistake or having a little hiccup here and there. I’m not worried about him. He’ll be fine,” said Lundin.

Lundin said he feels “pretty good” about his game right now but said he has to work on a couple of things.

“I’ve been guessing a little too much out there. I’ve got to read the play and react to it,” he said.

Shorthanded goals plaguing UM

It’s rare to find a team that has allowed as many shorthanded goals as power-play goals after 22 games but Maine has allowed seven of each.

Maine had allowed seven shorthanded goals in its previous three seasons combined.

“We’ve been too risky at the point on the power play. We haven’t been recognizing dangerous situations,” said senior right wing and captain Greg Moore. “We have to be more conservative.

“We gamble by putting forwards at the point because they aren’t as defensively aware of what’s going on. They’re always thinking offense. We’ve got make sure they’re aware of what’s going on,” added Moore.

Sophomore center Keenan Hopson, who plays the point on the power play, said he was guilty of turning the puck over on one of BU’s shorthanded goals.

“We’ve got to realize that in certain situations, we have to make sure we get the puck deep and that we don’t just play around with it,” said Hopson.

Ryan expected back Friday

Sophomore LW Billy Ryan, who missed four games with a shoulder injury, practiced Monday and is expected back this weekend.

Freshman defenseman Bryan Plaszcz will miss at least two weeks with a shoulder injury; sophomore defenseman Bret Tyler (sprained ankle) is doubtful and senior center Michel Leveille (calf contusion) will be a game-time decision.

Whitehead said since he has just six healthy defensemen, freshman Jeff Marshall and sophomore Keenan Hopson may be moved back to defense.