The University of Maine’s hockey team is glad to be returning to a normal sized ice surface after playing its last four games on a wider ice surface at the University of Massachusetts’ Mullins Center.

The Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y., where Maine will face St. Cloud State in Friday’s 6 p.m. game at the NCAA Tournament’s East Regional, is 197 feet-by-85 feet. The Mullins Center is 200-by-95.

Maine’s Alfond Arena is 200-by-85.

St. Cloud State plays on an Olympic-sized ice sheet (200-by-100) at the National Hockey Center.

The Blue Cross Arena is the home of the AHL’s Rochester Americans, the Buffalo Sabres’ top minor league franchise.

“We got spread out a little bit on the big ice sheet at UMass,” said Maine senior left wing Josh Soares. “We aren’t really used to playing on that. With the way our team is built, we’re a lot more successful on a smaller ice sheet. Hopefully, this will benefit us.”

Junior Keenan Hopson, who was moved from center to defense for the two Hockey East quarterfinal losses at UMass, said the larger sheet made his adjustment a little more challenging.

“There was more room for the forwards coming down on you,” said Hopson. “That made it a little more difficult for me to jump back into [defense].

“We practice and play [most of] our games on normal ice sheets. We only play on Olympic sheets three times a year so you have to get used to it. This will definitely be better,” said Hopson.

St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko doesn’t anticipate his team having to make a major adjustment.

“We’ve had plenty of games on [normal-sized rinks]. And we’re coming off playing on one,” said Motzko referring to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., where the WCHA held its championship round.

The Xcel Energy Center is 200-by-85.

Hopson used to playing defense

Hopson said playing defense for the first time at Maine wasn’t a big deal.

“I’ve played it half my life,” said Hopson, who actually plays the point on one of Maine’s power-play units. “I really had to think about things before the game, like game situations and stuff. But once I got out there, it was natural.”

Maine junior defenseman Bret Tyler was impressed with Hopson’s performance.

“He’s such a patient player and he’s unbelievable with the puck,” said Tyler. “You would think he might be weak defensively but he wasn’t. He fits right in back there with us. He’s doing a fantastic job.”

Hopson will probably be back on defense for the St. Cloud game.

Clark expects to play

Maine junior center Wes Clark said he expects to be ready to play Friday night.

Clark sprained his knee in a 3-2 loss to UMass in the Hockey East quarterfinal series opener 12 days ago.

He missed the second game, a 5-2 setback.

“It’s not 100 percent but it’s well enough to play,” said Clark, who was injured when a UMass player accidentally fell into him.

“I’ve been skating the last few days. It has felt good. I’ve been wearing a knee brace and that definitely helps it a lot,” said Clark.

Clark has eight goals and five assists in 29 games and is also used as a penalty-killer.

He has been centering the fourth line between Chris Hahn and Vince Laise.

Maine has tourney edge

One distinct advantage Maine will have over St. Cloud State is NCAA Tournament experience.

Over the past four seasons, Maine has played eight NCAA Tournament games, going 5-3, while St. Cloud State hasn’t played in any.

St. Cloud State last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2002-2003.

“That should definitely help us,” said Maine senior center Mike Hamilton. “Even the freshmen last year that were in the Frozen Four like [goalie Ben Bishop] and all those guys [will benefit]. The seniors have been there a couple times so that’s definitely going to play a role down the stretch here.”

St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko said he isn’t going to dwell on his team’s lack of NCAA tournament experience.

“It is what it is. We just have to prepare the best we can,” said Motzko.