Soares provides scoring strength Tyler contributing despite injury

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ORONO – He could be the answer to a trivia question: Who is the only University of Maine player to have scored in its last three single-elimination tournament games?

The answer is junior left winger Josh Soares, who scored in Maine’s two losses to Boston College in the Hockey East semifinals, 2-1 in double-overtime last year and 4-1 last Friday.

Those losses sandwiched Maine’s 1-0 overtime loss to Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament last season.

Soares isn’t flashy but he has quietly put together a fine season, leading the team in assists with 23 to go with his 14 goals. His 37 points are second on the team. He has nine power-play goals and three game-winners.

He was eighth in Hockey East in scoring in all games and league games (9 goals, 18 assists).

Maine coach Tim Whitehead said he was Maine’s best player in the loss to BC last Friday.

“He might have been the best player among both teams,” said Whitehead. “He is so strong on the puck. He’s great at keeping possession of it. He’ll fend off opponents by using his body and shifting his weight. He’ll enable us to sustain a power play another 20 seconds by winning a loose puck and controlling it.”

Maine senior center Derek Damon agreed.

“He wins all the one-on-one battles for the puck,” Damon said. “He makes you want to go out there and compete just as hard.”

Whitehead also called Soares a “very smart penalty-killer.

“He has great hockey sense and he can score. He rarely gives up scoring chances against him,” Whitehead said.

“Pucks have been bouncing my way,” said Soares, who had 12 goals and 11 assists a year ago. “I really work hard to peak this time of year. I’ve been fortunate to get those goals. I’m glad I’m able to help the team out.”

Soares is on a line with Hobey Baker Award finalist Greg Moore, who was a first-team All-Hockey East selection, and All-HE second-team center Michel Leveille.

Soares did not receive any Hockey East recognition.

“That’s no big deal. I just want to help the team out as much as possible,” he said. “I’m really happy with the way the season has turned out so far. I’ve been, more or less, one of the go-to guys on the power play and I’m real happy about that. I’m glad coach [Whitehead] has faith in me to do that.”

Harvard coach Ted Donato, whose Crimson will face Maine in Saturday’s 3 p.m. NCAA Tournament first-round game in Albany, N.Y., said Soares “has a natural knack for scoring.

“He is playing with two very good guys but he’s a very good complement for them. He’s a very good player in his own right,” Donato said.

“I’m very fortunate to be playing with those guys. They’re great players,” said the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Soares.

He works constantly on his shooting and skating as well as his puck movement.

“Puck movement is a huge thing, especially on the power play,” said Soares who is hoping to continue his scoring this weekend in front of 10 family members from Hamilton, Ontario.

“It’s only four or five hours to Albany. It’ll be great. I haven’t seen my mom forever,” he said.

Tyler contributing despite injury

At this time of year, several players are playing with nagging injuries.

Maine sophomore defenseman Bret Tyler is one of those players as he is bothered by a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for five games after he suffered the injury at Boston University on Jan. 13.

“I’m about 75 percent. When I fall down and get back up, it really bothers me. It hurts to turn and pivot. But I don’t want to use that as an excuse. It’ll be all right,” said Tyler.

He is Maine’s leading scorer among defensemen with six goals and 16 assists.

“I try to do my best to help the team and I hope to continue it this weekend,” said Tyler, who attempts to compensate by positioning himself better and “knowing when to jump into the play” and when to stay back on defense.

“He has given us a big lift by being in the lineup and logging so many minutes,” said Whitehead. “He is on our top power- play unit. He has great hockey sense. He loves to play the game and is such a tough competitor.”