Tradition sparks UM late surge

When the University of Maine’s hockey team was scuffing along with a 7-7 record in Hockey East, it appeared as though an eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth was a longshot.

The goaltending had gone from being surprisingly consistent to understandably inconsistent, especially when you take into consideration the inexperience of sophomore Matt Lundin and freshman Ben Bishop.

The forwards were getting good offensive zone pressure, but they weren’t generating second and third shots by creating a consistent net-front presence.

The defensemen were occasionally turning the puck over or getting beat in one-on-ones.

But I forgot something very important – Maine’s annual late-season push.

Over the past 12 seasons, Maine has compiled a 112-41-12 record from Feb. 1 on, including a 9-1-2 record this season.

That is a winning percentage of .715.

They have had winning records from Feb. 1 on in 11 of those 12 seasons, including the 9-1-2 mark this season.

The only time they didn’t have a winning record was the 2002-2003 season (4-8-1).

That year, even after suffering the humiliation of being swept at home by UMass in their Hockey East quarterfinal series, the Bears regrouped after a two-week layoff to put on an impressive performance in their only NCAA Tournament game, a 2-1 loss to Michigan at the Wolverines’ Yost Arena.

The losses to UMass were Maine’s only home setbacks in Hockey East tourney play.

Maine’s sweep of UMass Lowell last weekend gives it a 27-2 home record in Hockey East tourney play.

The Bears are 36-4 at Alfond Arena in all postseason tournament play (ECAC Division II, Hockey East, NCAA).

Maine has the most wins and best NCAA Tournament record (26-17) among Hockey East teams since the inception of the league in 1984-85. Boston College is second at 21-18.

What has made the Bears such a good second-half team?

“It started with coach [Shawn] Walsh,” explained senior center Derek Damon of Bangor, who grew up watching the Bears string late-season wins together.

“He really emphasized that the stretch run was the most important part of the season. The start and middle half of the season were to find out who could play with who and letting the new guys learn the systems,” added Damon.

Senior defenseman Travis Wight added that “we play with desperation down the stretch and that really helps us.”

Senior right wing and captain Greg Moore said the Bears “always pride ourselves in peaking at the right time. We always find a way to play our best toward the end of the year. Nothing else is acceptable here.”

“I think it also has to do with the character of the guys [assistant] coach [Grant] Standbrook and the coaching staff recruit. They recruit guys who have character to battle through a whole season and stay focused,” said Moore.

“That’s the time of the year Maine hockey really steps up,” junior right wing Keith Johnson said. “This is when good teams step up. We thrive off that.”

Johnson recalls watching Maine beat his brother Gregg’s Boston University team 4-3 in the 2001-2002 NCAA Tournament.

“I said, ‘Wow this [Maine] team is good.’ BU couldn’t find the answer to beat them. Ever since then, I knew Maine’s tradition was awesome.”

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.