March 31, 2007
NCAA Frozen Four
INCH Measures Up Maine's Bret Tyler

By Mike Eidelbes

In his first three seasons at Maine, defenseman Bret Tyler has scored 20, 23, and 26 points.

For the second straight year and the fourth time since 2002, Maine is back at the Frozen Four. In order to reach the national semifinals this time around, however, the Black Bears have had to stage a comeback that would make Lazarus proud — that's a New Testament reference for you public schoolers.

After bursting out of the gate with a nine-game unbeaten streak and a 14-3-2 record through 19 games, Maine stumbled. The Black Bears lost 11 of their last 18, including four straight games at Massachusetts — one series ended the regular season, the other bounced Maine from the Hockey East playoffs and sent the team back to Orono to await their NCAA Tournament fate.

The Black Bears were given a reprieve, earning one of the last at-large bids into the NCAA playoffs. Seeded third in a wide-open East Regional in Rochester, N.Y., Maine dominated second-seed St. Cloud State in a first-round win, then avenged the recent losses to UMass by beating the Minutemen in the regional final.

Junior defenseman Bret Tyler, the team's leading scorer from the blue line with six goals and 20 assists in 39 games, contributed a goal and an assist in the Black Bears' regional final triumph. Inside College Hockey caught up with the Maynard, Mass., native at Alfond Arena.

INCH Measures Up: Frozen Four Edition

Boston College's Nathan Gerbe Michigan State's Tyler Howells North Dakota's Chris Porter

Inside College Hockey: Given the break between the regional and the Frozen Four, were you guys able to take a couple days off and savor what happened in Rochester?

Bret Tyler: Definitely. We had a couple days off here and there — not together. It's a good time to reflect on what you've accomplished and going to the Frozen Four, but at the same time, we've got to stay focused on and off the ice so we're prepared to win.

INCH: Do you like having the extra time off between the regionals and the Frozen Four, or would you be better off getting right back to it the following weekend?

BT: We didn't make the Hockey East semifinals, so we had two weeks off before the regionals and that worked out well for us. We just have to stay focused and be prepared to play.

INCH: After you lost to UMass in the Hockey East quarterfinals, what was going through your guys' minds knowing you had no control over whether you'd make the NCAA Tournament?

BT: It was a little frustrating at the end of the season. We didn't like having to rely on other teams to do well so we could get in. It was a difficult situation, but once we got in, everybody was thrilled.

In the regional, we beat an unbelievable team in St. Cloud. Massachusetts had our number at the end of the year. When we got past them, it was a great feeling for us.

INCH: Once the pairings were announced and you saw that you'd made the NCAA Tournament field, did the team approach the tournament with a clean-slate mentality?

BT: You don't to totally forget everything that happened to you in the past because you want to learn from those experiences, but I think the playoffs — especially the NCAA's — were like a new season for us. We were just glad to be there ... glad to get in.

INCH: We have a saying at INCH: Never count Maine out. What is it about you guys that, year after year, you're able to come back when things look hopeless?

BT: This year, we were fortunate to get in [to the NCAA Tournament], but all we wanted was another opportunity. That's why kids come to the University of Maine. I'm from Massachusetts, and you hear so many great things about this program. Year in and year out, they've always managed to find a way.

INCH: Have the people in and around Orono grown accustomed to these trips to the Frozen Four, or is it still a big deal?

BT: Definitely. We don't have any professional sports teams around. The closest one is about two-and-a-half hours away, so we're kind of it. Ovbiously, the University of Maine has other teams, but Maine hockey has been the biggest. It's a great feeling for us when they come out and support us, and we hope it's a great feeling for them, too.

INCH: How much do you know about Michigan State?

BT: We played them last year in the [East Regional.] They've got a fantastic goalie in [Jeff] Lerg, their defense is solid, and their forwards are big and strong. They're an excellent team — they beat a couple of the top teams in the country in Boston University and Notre Dame. We're going to have to come out and match they're energy, because they're a good team.

INCH: What do you know about St. Louis ... outside of what [goaltender and St. Louis native] Ben Bishop has told you?

BT: Bish has been chirping since day one how it's better Boston. But we'll get to see how it is firsthand.

INCH: Regardless of where it's being played, these trips to the Frozen Four probably don't get old.

BT: No, not at all. It's one of the best feelings in college hockey. Just going back there this year is an unbelievable experience. Some people don't get to go there at all during their four years, so getting to go in back-to-back years is unbelievable.