Black Bears facing depleted Wildcats UM’s Leveille, Tyler returning to lineup

The University of Maine Black Bears will regain the services of two of their top point-producers while the University of New Hampshire’s Wildcats will be without seven suspended forwards when the two Hockey East archrivals square off Friday night to open a crucial two-game set at Alfond Arena this weekend.

The seven forwards, including six of the Wildcats’ top 10 scorers, were suspended for violating team rules. They will return Saturday night.

Heading up the list are two of UNH’s top three point-getters and their leading goal scorers, Daniel Winnik (11 goals, 19 assists) and Brett Hemingway (12 & 14).

UNH will be left with 17 skaters, eight forwards and nine defensemen.

Maine, meanwhile, will get a boost from the return of center Michel Leveille (10 & 10) and top-scoring defenseman Bret Tyler (3 & 10). They have missed the last five games with knee and ankle injuries, respectively.

The Bears respect the Wildcats and know their depleted Friday night lineup doesn’t guarantee a win.

“They’re still a dangerous team no matter how many guys are out,” said Maine senior defenseman and assistant captain Steve Mullin. “We’re going to approach it the same way. It’s a must-win game for us. We’ve got to play our best hockey.”

Maine is tied for 21st in the PairWise rankings that mimic the NCAA Tournament selection process and UNH is 19th.

UNH senior defenseman and captain Brian Yandle said the Wildcats aren’t feeling sorry for themselves.

“We’re going up there with the intention of trying to pull off an upset,” said Yandle. “We’ve got to try to outwork Maine. Just because we have some suspended guys and we’ll have guys in different roles, the bottom line is everybody can play. They’re all recruited Division I athletes. It’ll be interesting to see which guys step up.”

Yandle said he loves playing in Orono although he has never won there.

“It’s a great atmosphere. Any time you play up there, you have to be on top of your game,”he said.

Leveille said he feels “100 percent” and Tyler said although his ankle is a little weak and gets sore after he plays, “it feels good when I’m on the ice.”

They’re eager to return.

Junior defenseman Mike Lundin said the team is glad to have them back.

“They’re two great playmakers. They’re good on the power play and in even-strength situations. They’ll definitely help our team,” said Lundin.

One of the recent developments that has keyed a three-game Bear winning streak has been point production from their stay-at-home defensemen. Mullin, Travis Wight, Travis Ramsey and Simon Danis-Pepin have combined for two goals and six assists.

They had previously combined for just 10 points all year.

“Coach [Tim Whitehead] has encouraged us to jump up into the play all year. For some of us, myself included, it doesn’t come naturally. But when you consistently work on it and harp on it, you’re bound to get better at it over the course of the year,” said Mullin.