March 8, 2010
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Maine Suspends Goalie Darling Indefinitely
CHN Staff Report
Scott Darling
ORONO, Maine — Maine sophomore goalie Scott Darling has been suspended indefinitely by the team for an unspecified violation of team rules.
Darling had already been suspended for this past weekend's regular-season-ending series against Massachusetts at home. Maine lost both games to the Minutemen, greatly hurting its NCAA tournament hopes, though it still finished fourth in Hockey East and will host a playoff series this weekend for the first time since 2005.
Assuming Darling remains suspended, senior Dave Wilson or freshman Shawn Sirman will get the start Friday when Maine takes on Mass.-Lowell at Alfond Arena.
Darling has played the bulk of time this season — 27 games. Though his numbers aren't stellar — 3.10 goals against average and .895 save percentage — the team's record is significantly better with him in net: 15-6-3 with him compared to 1-9 without him.
However, Darling has had his troubles before. He was suspended for the first two games this season for an incident that happened over the summer, and he was suspended for one game last year.
Shawn Sirman, who is 1-6 with 5.19 goals against average, started two games against UMass last weekend, but was lifted both times.
“Shawn is a freshman who has had some highs and lows but I know he’ll be better because of his experience on Friday and Saturday," Maine coach Tim Whitehead told the Bangor Daily News. "Those guys will be ready to go.”
“No matter who is in net, we have to play better as a team,” said Maine junior captain Tanner House to the News. “We’re confident in both of them. Both of those guys are capable of being the starting guy and being able to win games for us. We need to play well no matter who plays and give that goalie and opportunity to win.”
