ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine men’s hockey team got back to work early Thursday morning after an embarrassing 7-0 loss to the University of New Hampshire on Wednesday night in Manchester, New Hampshire.
It was UMaine’s worst loss since a 7-0 loss to New Hampshire on Nov. 29, 1997, and it extended the Black Bears’ winless streak to four games (0-3-1). All four games have come against archrival New Hampshire.
“That was a huge slap in the face,” said UMaine senior captain Steven Swavely. “That’s not how you represent the University of Maine’s hockey program. It’s not acceptable. Something has to be done about it.”
That includes some serious soul-searching, said Swavely.
“We have to take a look at ourselves as individuals and as a team. It’s about having pride. That’s where it starts, and we’ll go from there,” he added.
UMaine (4-11-4) allowed 20 goals in the four games versus UNH after giving up eight in their previous four games.
“It’s a function of our team defense, it’s a function of our puck management, and it’s a function of our goaltending,” said UMaine coach Red Gendron. “The bottom line is we have to work on those things.”
Swavely said it has been a “whole bunch of things” that have contributed to their defensive woes.
“The biggest thing [Wednesday night] was the turnovers. We didn’t control the puck very well. We have to tighten up defensively,” said Swavely.
“None of us got the job done Wednesday night,” said Gendron. “We’re not going to run and hide from that. We’re not going to make excuses.”
UMaine won’t play again until it hosts ECAC team Colgate on Jan. 8 and 9. The Raiders (5-13-1) have lost six of their last seven, allowing 33 goals in the seven games.
“We’ll move on from this. We’re not going to be stuck on [the UNH loss],” said Swavely. “It’s a new year, and we’re looking forward to having Colgate come in. We’re looking to get back on the winning path.”
Both have confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back.
“I’ll never lose confidence in our team,” said Swavely.
“I have big-time faith in this team. I believe in these kids,” said Gendron.
The goaltending situation could be up in the air as freshman Rob McGovern allowed nine goals in two starts against UNH and junior Matt Morris surrendered eight in his two.
Sophomore Sean Romeo relieved Morris in the second period on Wednesday and stopped 21 of 23 shots. Morris allowed five goals on 16 shots.
Gendron said “we’ll see” when asked if the goaltending job is up in the air.
The freshmen have produced two goals, placing them among the lowest scoring first-year classes in the country.
“We need more production from everybody, [not just our freshmen],” said Gendron.
Second-leading scorer Blaine Byron (five goals, six assists) suffered an upper-body injury Wednesday and wasn’t able to practice Thursday.
But he said it wasn’t serious and listed himself as “day-to-day.”