Hahn sidelined with broken finger House to return to Bears’ lineup

Chris Hahn, a junior left winger for the University of Maine men’s hockey team who shares the team lead with four goals, will be sidelined for at least three weeks with a broken finger, according to coach Tim Whitehead.

He suffered the injury early in the first period of Saturday’s 2-1 exhibition loss to the University of New Brunswick but finished the period.

Hahn underwent surgery on the finger on Monday.

The Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, native also had an assist to go with his four goals, and two of his goals are shorthanded, tying him for fourth nationally in that category.

Hahn had three goals and eight assists in 45 career games entering this season.

“He has been a player who has begun to emerge for us,” said Whitehead. “We were looking for upperclassmen to elevate their play and he has. He’s been much stronger on the puck and more assertive with the puck.”

Whitehead said freshman Glenn Belmore (9 games, 1 & 2) will take Hahn’s spot in the lineup for Saturday night’s home game against Merrimack.

“Glenn has been constantly improving. He’s getting in better shape and he has been doing a lot of the little things you need to do [to stay in the lineup]. He’ll get more ice time,” said Whitehead.

The Maine coach said he hopes freshman defenseman Jeff Dimmen (sprained thumb) and sophomore defenseman Brett Carriere (bruised knees) will be available Saturday.

Dimmen, who has 2 & 2 in nine games, missed the UNB game, while Carriere (no points in two games) was injured in the first period.

If they can’t play, Whitehead said he probably would move junior Matt Duffy back to his natural defense position.

Duffy was moved up to right wing three games ago and has a goal.

The Black Bears will be bolstered by the return of freshman center Tanner House, who has finished serving a six-game suspension after being charged with unlawful sexual touching and assault at 103 Ultra Lounge on Nov. 4.

House had a goal and an assist in seven games.

“Having Tanner back will help us,” said Whitehead. “He was our most consistent freshman. He was good on faceoffs and faceoffs have been killing us lately.”

House also had been playing on the power play and killing penalties.

He last played in Maine’s 1-1 tie at Boston College on Nov. 2.