Given a 2nd chance, UM persevered

Life is all about second chances and the ability to capitalize on those opportunities.

The University of Maine’s hockey team looked cooked, going 13-14-1 over its last 28 games including four straight losses to UMass.

It took a stroke of good fortune for them to even make the NCAA Tournament. They owe a debt of gratitude to fellow Frozen Four participant North Dakota and a host of other teams that eliminated underdogs who could have taken an NCAA tourney spot away from the Bears.

Maine took full advantage of its second chance by beating St. Cloud State 4-1 and UMass 3-1 in the East Regional to earn its third Frozen Four appearance in four years.

The late Shawn Walsh, who transformed the program from a bottom-feeder to a perennial national championship contender, always challenged his players by scheduling difficult non-conference road games.

Maine was the first Hockey East school to visit Lake Superior State (1991) in between the Lakers’ national championships in 1988 and 1992.

Current coach Tim Whitehead has continued that trend with a game in St. Paul, Minn., against the University of Minnesota’s Golden Gophers and two at the University of North Dakota in October. Maine won all three.

Freshman right wing Teddy Purcell said the experience of playing those three games against “powerhouse teams” in front of large, hostile crowds “really helped us.”

Then there’s the NCAA Tournament.

Maine teams have almost always played well in the tournament, regardless of their play in the Hockey East tourney and the regular season.

Maine is now 30-18 in NCAA tourney play, 7-3 the last four seasons, and its 30 wins are seventh most in NCAA tourneys. All of the schools ahead of the Bears have had hockey much longer than Maine, which is in its 30th year: Minnesota (50 wins), Michigan (44), North Dakota (38), Boston University (34), Wisconsin (33) and Boston College (32).

Maine’s winning percentage of .625 is sixth best behind North Dakota (.704), Denver (.658), Michigan (.657), Wisconsin (.647) and Lake Superior State (.645).

Senior left winger and assistant captain Josh Soares said it is understood when a player agrees to attend Maine that there is a tradition to uphold.

“The jersey is everything. You aren’t just playing for the school, you’re playing for the state of Maine,” Soares said. “We learn that when you see the crowds we have [at home] every night. When you put that jersey on, you know the tradition behind it. You give your best effort every night, especially during tournament time. It’s about knowing how to execute and doing it well.”

Purcell said Maine’s resurgence in the East Regional is a “testament to our leadership and how well the older guys have shown the younger guys what it takes.”

The playoffs are about goaltending and the return of Ben Bishop, after missing four games with a groin pull, was vital.

Maine’s play in the two wins was a blueprint of its success over the years: exceptional goaltending (Bishop was superb), gritty and tenacious team defense (2 goals allowed), balanced scoring (seven goals from seven different players), good special teams (outscored opponents 4-1) and having their stars play up to their potential.

Captain Michel Leveille led the way with two of the best and most thorough games of his career.

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