Bears must find spark on offense

If you looked at the University of Maine men’s hockey schedule at the outset, you probably would have been surprised if the team took a 10-3-2 mark into the Christmas break.

After all, there was a game in St. Paul, Minn., against the University of Minnesota and two the road against perennial power North Dakota, a Frozen Four team last season.

Maine won all three. The 3-1 win over Minnesota is the 15-1-3 Gophers’ only loss.

However, the North Dakota sweep isn’t as significant as we thought. The Sioux are 7-10-1 overall, 3-6-1 at home.

The Bears have definitely put themselves in good position for a ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

And if sophomore goalie Ben Bishop continues to play the way he has, they could make a run at a national title.

We all know how far goaltending can carry a team.

But there is plenty of work to do.

Maine has been held to three goals or fewer six times in its last seven games, capped by a disappointing 1-1 overtime tie against a Mercyhurst College (Pa.) team that had allowed 4.2 goals per game.

The Bears have only two players with more than five goals: senior center and captain Michel Leveille with 12 and senior left wing and assistant captain Josh Soares with 7.

However, on the other side of the puck, Maine has held its opponents to two goals or fewer 12 times.

The primary reason has been Bishop.

The 6-foot-7 Des Peres, Mo., native has a 1.75 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. That includes an 0.98 GAA and .957 save percentage over his last four games.

He has effectively limited his movement around the crease to take full advantage of his size and wing span.

And he still plays like a third defenseman, handling and shooting the puck confidently and aggressively to limit opponents’ forechecking opportunities and to save wear and tear on his defensemen.

His mates have played better defensively lately, although they allowed several odd-man rushes against Mercyhurst.

The Bears must do a better job finishing their checks. They have skill, but they can’t rely on just skill to win, especially against good teams. They simply don’t have enough of it.

They have to win the battles for loose pucks and outwork their opponents.

Finishing checks eventually wears down your opponents and forces them into making hasty decisions that ultimately lead to turnovers and transition chances.

Physical play also energizes the home crowd and that, in turn, fuels the team.

After first focusing on its in-your-face team defense, the Maine forwards must commit to driving fearlessly and relentlessly to the opponents’ net front. Their inconsistency in that area has hurt them.

A healthier Keith Johnson, who missed three games with a knee injury, could be a key to a strong second half. They also need Teddy Purcell (0 goals in 10 games), Wes Clark (0 in 7), and Brent Shepheard (1 in 8) to rediscover their early-season scoring touches.

Billy Ryan (25 shots on goal) and Keenan Hopson (24) need to shoot the puck more.

It would be nice if the blue liners could get more involved in the offense but not at the expense of their defensive responsibilities.

The penalty-killing is on a nice run of 24 consecutive kills, but the power play needs refining in the wake of a current 3-for-22 stretch.

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