Sophomore goalie Matt Lundin, calling it “strictly a hockey decision,” has elected to leave the University of Maine men’s hockey team.

He will play for the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Stampede in the United States Hockey League next season and take courses at a community college to earn an associate’s degree which would enable him to play at another Division I school beginning in the 2007-08 season.

Lundin backed up Jimmy Howard two years ago and split the goaltending with freshman Ben Bishop for most of this past season until Bishop won the job and started the last 14 games.

Lundin wound up appearing in 14 games, 12 of which were starts. He compiled an impressive 1.72 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage. He went 7-4 and played 731 minutes, 15 seconds.

The 6-foot-7 Bishop, who was chosen the Hockey East All-Rookie team goalie, went 21-8-2 with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage. He played 1,788 minutes, including all six Maine playoff games.

“I want to get to that next level after college and I didn’t feel I was going to get a chance to prove myself at Maine,” said Lundin, whose older brother Mike, a defenseman, will be an assistant captain for the Black Bears next season.

“It was a very difficult decision. It’s a great university, there are great people there, they have a great [hockey] history, and they’ve got a great coaching staff,” said Lundin. “My brother is there, all the guys are there, and the fans are spectacular. It’s a fun place to play and a hard place to leave.

“But this was a decision I had to make for my future. It wasn’t a rash decision. I thought about it for half a year,” said Lundin.

Maine coach Tim Whitehead said Lundin will be missed.

“He had a great year, as did Ben, and he’s a great person,” said Whitehead. “I told him they would both start with a clean slate next year. I had intended to use both of them like I did this year until one of them became the clear-cut starter.

“But it’s tough to be patient. I understand he’s anxious to play. I know how he’s feeling, and I’m confident he’ll be very successful wherever he goes.”

Lundin said not getting any ice time in the playoffs was tough to swallow and he didn’t foresee any playoff duty next season.

“That’s when all the pro scouts come out because they want to see how you play in the playoffs,” said the 20-year-old Lundin. “I love to play the game, and I love to play in the playoffs.”

He added that Bishop’s ability to play the puck gave the freshman a decided advantage over him.

“He played the puck a lot and Coach [Tim Whitehead] likes that. It’s like having a third defenseman back there. That’s not my style. I’m more concerned with stopping the puck than playing it,” said Lundin, who returned to his native Minnesota this past weekend.

Lundin felt he “exceeded expectations with the numbers I put up and the way I played” this season.

“I expect to play very well next season and prove myself to someone else [at the college level],” said Lundin.

Whitehead said they are recruiting a goalie to take Lundin’s place and to push Bishop.

“We need a goalie who will go toe-to-toe with Ben. You need two good goalies,” said Whitehead. “I’m confident Ben will be better next season and he needs competition to elevate his game.”

Ryan Shelley of Gray has been the third-string goalie the past two seasons and he will be a junior.