December 31, 2009
Maine Continues Resurgence, Takes Florida Classic
Comes From Behind to Top CC in Final
by Joe Malta/CHN Reporter
ESTERO, Fla. — You don't want to say Maine's transformation from a two-year swoon and bad start to 2009-10 is complete, but with an eight-game unbeaten streak and Florida Classic Championship — winning 3-2 in the final against No. 3 Colorado College — you have to be feeling good about the program again.
“It was great for us after the way we lost the lead last night to come back the way we did tonight meant a lot to our guys,” Maine head coach Tim Whitehead said.
The Tigers advanced to the championship game by using their team speed and power play to create chances against Cornell. But the Black Bears were ready for the Tiger attack.
“They stretched out more on the penalty kill than we thought they would.” CC coach Scott Owens said. “I thought we did a better job in the second period.”
The Maine penalty kill struggled early in the year but has improved of late and helped to fuel the current unbeaten streak. And the Black Bears were able to stop one of the top power play units in the country on all six of their opportunities.
“We had a chance to watch them against Cornell last night and we focused on special teams and stopping their back door plays,” said Whitehead. “I am happy for our guys they have worked hard. It is a great win for us heading back into league play.”
Maine goalie and tournament MVP Scott Darling — whose return to the lineup after being forced to sit out the early part of the year has a lot to do with Maine's turnaround — talked about the focus for the Black Bears.
“Our goal is to restore Maine to national dominance not just for our team but for the Black Bears to come," Darling said. "We started by prepping better over the summer and we all came back in better shape and ready to go. Winning the tournament means a lot to us. They are a great team and we worked hard for this.”
For most of the first period the Maine defense was able to stand up the Tiger attack at the blue line and limit the Tigers to only six shots over the first 20 minutes.
But Colorado College got goals from Andrew Hamburg and David Civitarese in the second period.
And when Maine defenseman Will O'Neill was called for hooking Mike Testwuide on the way to the net at 19:49 the Tigers headed to the dressing room with a 2-1 lead and a power play to open the third period.
But Maine killed off the Colorado College power play to start third period without a shot getting through to Darling.
“We had our chances and we did not convert on the power play. We could not get set up," Owens said. "We were not crisp enough to play a high skill game and not hungry enough to get the rebounds when they were there.”
The eventual game winner came when Jr. forward Tanner House tipped a shot from Colorado Springs native Jeff Dimmen past Howe with 22 seconds left in a two-man advantage.
“We showed good patience on that play, we did not force any passes and it paid off,” Whitehead said.
The night was not over for the Maine special teams. Dimmen was called for tripping with Tiger goalie Joe Howe already on the bench at 19:26 of the third period. That set up a 6-on-4 advantage for the Tigers. But with the help of some clutch saves by Darling the Maine penalty kill unit frustrated the Tigers one last time to preserve the victory.
“It was a hard fought game, I am impressed with Colorado College, I am proud of our team and proud of the way Scott (Darling) bounced back from last night (a 6-6 tie)," Whitehead said. "He made some big stops for us down the stretch.”
