Inside College Hockey | 2004 Frozen Four Capsules

March 31, 2004
NCAA Tournament
Frozen Four Capsules | Second Semifinal

MAINE BLACK BEARS | East Regional Champions

Location: Orono, Maine
Record: 31-7-3 (17-5-2 Hockey East, second)
Qualified: Hockey East Tournament champion
NCAA Championships: Two (1993, 1999)
NCAA Appearance: 14th (most recent, 2003)
Frozen Four Appearance: Ninth (most recent, 2002)
Head Coach: Tim Whitehead
Key Players: Jim Howard, G, So. (13-3-3, 1.20, .954); Colin Shields, F, Sr. (18-26—44); Prestin Ryan, D, Sr. (4-17—21)

What You Need to Know: The Black Bears, winners of nine in a row, are the nation’s hottest team entering the semifinals. The top-ranked defense and some timely goal scoring have made Maine, which was expected to be in a bit of a rebuilding year, a top team all season.

Gamebreaker: There’s a bit of a scoring-by-committee approach at Maine, but Colin Shields’ ability stands out. The gifted Scot – yes, he’s from Scotland – is a goal scorer, and Michel Léveillé plays Adam Oates to his Brett Hull.

Achilles Heel: When Maine has been beaten, a lack of consistent goal scoring has hurt (witness the three 1-0 games among their seven losses). You can especially find fault in the power play, which was 1-for-11 in Albany.

Overachiever: A year ago, the Maine defense was led by a rugged defensive defenseman, Cliff Loya, and a gifted offensive defenseman, Francis Nault. It’s safe to say that Prestin Ryan has filled both of those roles for the Black Bears this season. A punishing hitter who can also join the rush, he’s had games where he’s been Maine’s best player in all three zones.

Secret Weapon: This secret’s about as well-kept as who the Democrats will introduce as their presidential nominee when they visit the FleetCenter this summer – but the emergence of Mike Hamilton has been crucial for the Black Bears. His goal at the Fleet two weeks ago got them past BU in the Hockey East semifinals, and the freshman continued his hot streak in Albany (two goals).

Speed: Todd Jackson and Greg Moore are fluid, speedy skaters, who can make life difficult for opponents, especially if Maine defensemen hit them in stride with long outlet passes.

Skill: Hockey skill is usually associated with the kind of stickwork that Greg Moore displayed on the game-winning goal against Harvard, but Maine’s skill between the pipes is unmatched. Jim Howard and Frank Doyle have been a terrific tandem all year. Howard, who’s likely to get the nod, is more of a skill and positioning goalie than a reaction goalie – he cuts down angles and makes the job look easier than some of his more acrobatic counterparts.

Grit: Ryan provides a big dose of grit, as do the rest of the Black Bear defensemen, a largely anonymous group that keeps getting better as the season goes along. Up front, the line of Dustin Penner, Mike Hamilton and Jon Jankus is head coach Tim Whitehead’s most physically impressive trio.

Most Recent Maine Line Chart
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing	Notes
13-T. Jackson	28-D. Damon	12-K. Johnson	The emergence of the Jankus line gives the Black Bears three good scoring lines.
22-M. Hamilton	23-J. Jankus	25-D. Penner
15-G. Moore	11-M. Léveillé	21-C. Shields
20-C. Lyall	17-B. Murphy	10-J. Ronan
Defense	Defense	Goalies
24-P. Ryan	6-T. Barnes	33-J. Howard	Ryan's the leader on D, but keep an eye on Lundin, a terrific freshman.
2-M. Lundin	55-J. Mushaluk	1-F. Doyle
4-S. Mullin	7-M. Deschamps	40-R. Jean

BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES | Northeast Regional Champions

Location: Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Record: 29-8-4 (17-4-3 Hockey East, first)
Qualified: At-large bid
NCAA Championships: Two (1949, 2001)
NCAA Appearance: 24th (most recent, 2003)
Frozen Four Appearance: 18th (most recent, 2001)
Head Coach: Jerry York
Key Players: Ben Eaves, F, Sr. (9-25—34); Tony Voce, F, Sr. (29-18—47); Ryan Shannon, F, Jr. (14-27—41)

What You Need to Know: The hometown team got to the Frozen Four by playing a memorable game against Michigan that showcased the Eagles’ strengths – a puck possession style that keeps the pressure on their opponents for 200 feet.

Gamebreaker: Ben Eaves is BC’s two-year captain and would probably be claiming the Hobey Baker Award, had he not missed 16 games due to injury. It was only fitting that he scored the overtime goal to bring BC back to Boston.

Achilles Heel: Matti Kaltiainen has earned praise this year, including his second-team All-Hockey East honors, but there’s no denying that goaltending is the Eagles only potentially fatal flaw. Despite making some great saves in the regional final, he allowed two goals that should have been stopped.

Overachiever: Stephen Gionta arrived with a well-known name and a work ethic to match, but he’s developed his skill considerably. He filled in for Ben Eaves on the top line when Eaves was out, and now helps make the Eagles’ third line a threat offensively. He does his best work, though, for BC’s NCAA-leading penalty killing group.

Secret Weapon: An early ankle injury slowed David Spina for the first half of the season, and the point-per-game player a year ago has just 12 in 24 games this year. He’s got tremendous skill, however, and playing alongside Ryan Shannon and Chris Collins, is in position to have a big weekend.

Speed: If you distinguish between speed and quickness, the Eagles have more of the latter. Their forwards, as a rule, have a terrific first step that helps them create space for themselves. For pure speed, Patrick Eaves might be their most dangerous player.

Skill: Like so much of BC’s game, their skill begins with their first line – and it’s a unique collection of skills. Ben Eaves is the great passer, Tony Voce the great shooter, and Patrick Eaves can do a bit of everything.

Grit: When you see guys like Ryan Shannon before they suit up, they are small, almost slight. But they have remarkable strength on their sticks and an ability to dig the puck out of the corners. They have grit that belies their size.

Most Recent Boston College Line Chart
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing	Notes
9-P. Eaves	22-B. Eaves	13-T. Voce	Boyle has been rotating into the fourth line center spot, but he had a very good game against Michigan.
12-C. Collins	18-R. Shannon	21-D. Spina
14-T. Hennes	15-S. Gionta	19-R. Murphy
27-N. Havern	10-B. Boyle	25-J. Dziama
Defense	Defense	Goalies
2-A. Alberts	23-J.D. Forrest	30-M. Kaltiainen	Harrold played two terrific games at the Northeast Regional.
6-J. Adams	7-P. Harrold	1-J. Pearce
24-B. Peterson	8-G. Lauze	29-R. Miller