ORONO – He was happy to be back but not happy his left arm was in a sling.

Former University of Maine goalie Matt Lundin had looked forward to playing against his former school for the Mercyhurst College Lakers this weekend but suffered a separated shoulder while making 46 saves in a 2-1 loss to Ohio State last weekend.

“It’s fun to be back. It’s a tough situation not being able to play,” said Lundin, who compiled an 8-4 record, a 1.77 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage in two seasons at Maine.

“Obviously, these would have been big games for me. It stinks not being able to play,” said Lundin, brother of former Bear defenseman and current Tampa Bay blue-liner Mike Lundin. “But I’m looking at it in a positive way. These aren’t [Atlantic Hockey] games. They don’t mean as much. I’m glad it happened now rather than at the end of the season.”

Lundin backed up Jimmy Howard as a freshman and split the goaltending duties with Ben Bishop his sophomore year until Bishop won the job and started the last 14 games.

That prompted Lundin to leave Maine, and he spent last year leading the Sioux Falls Stampede to the U.S. [Junior] Hockey League title. He earned playoff MVP honors.

“I have a lot of happy memories [from Maine],” said Lundin. “I had two great years here. I’ve seen a lot of people. It’s good to see them again.”

Lundin enjoys Mercyhurst and said he’s expected to be sidelined for “four to 12 weeks” but hopes to be back in a month.

The Apple Valley, Minn., native already has had a positive impact on the Lakers.

“He’s been terrific. He has been a great addition to our program. He’s a great kid and he’s very talented in goal,” said Mercyhurst coach Rick Gotkin. “He would have played both games this weekend but the hockey gods said otherwise.”

Gotkin added that the Maine coaching staff was “great” in helping him recruit Lundin after he left Maine.