Maine Team Capsule

Location: Orono, ME
Record: 28-11-2 (17-8-2 second in Hockey East)
Qualified: At-Large
National Championships: 2 (1993, 1999)
Frozen Four Apperances: 10 (last in 2004)
Head Coach: Tim Whitehead

Key Players:

Greg Moore SR. F (28 g, 16 a, 44 p)
Josh Soares JR. F (15 g, 25 a, 40 p)
Michel Leveille SR. F (15 g, 24 a, 39 p)
Ben Bishop FR. G (21-7-2 2.22 gaa, .908 save pct)

Maine came into the East regional with one goal in mind, that is of course to get to the Frozen Four. To do that they first had to get by Harvard, who scored 16 goals in the ECACHL semi-finals and finals including a 10 goal outburst against ECACHL regular season champion Dartmouth. Maine however responded well and only allowed one goal in a 6-1 victory. The next day the Maine offense was still there in a 5-4 victory over the top seed in the region the Michigan State Spartans.

The key for Maine in their game with Wisconsin is to keep playing their game. The Black Bears do not want a defensive game with Wisconsin which would be to the Badgers' advantage. If that is the case Ben Bishop will have to outplay Brian Elliott in all aspects in order to win.

If the Black Bears can get a good amount of shots on goal they will be in good shape. They had 78 shots on goal in the NCAA tournament 44 against Harvard, and 34 against Michigan State. Even though Brian Elliott stopped 40 plus shots against Cornell in the regional final, Elliott has not faced an offense quite like what Maine has.

It will be one of the best offenses in the country versus one of the best defensive teams in the country. How will the Black Bears respond to one of the best goaltenders in the country? Can the Black Bears get their offense going?

Tommorrow Wisconsin will be featured in the last team capsule.