Tournament brings back Big Ben

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Gateway Arch won’t be the only major attraction in St. Louis when college hockey’s Frozen Four hits town next month. “Big Ben” is coming home.

Big Ben is the nickname of Maine goalie Ben Bishop, whose 6-foot-7 frame presents an imposing figure in the Black Bears’ net. It’s also a suitable description for someone who played a significant role in helping Maine win the NCAA East Regional championship last weekend and clinch the program’s second straight Frozen Four berth and sixth since 1999.

It also means Bishop will enjoy a homecoming when the Black Bears (23-14-2) play Midwest Region champ Michigan State (24-13-3) on April 5. Besides being a St. Louis-area native, he was the St. Louis Blues’ third-round pick in the 2005 draft.

“It feels good. Going back to St. Louis was one of my goals all season,” said Bishop, who’s father, Ben Sr., is a member of the St. Louis tournament’s organizing committee.

“Yeah, there’s been a little pressure,” he said with a wink, referring to his father. “I know he’s got a lot of tickets ready. I’m glad he didn’t have to get rid of those.”

Big Ben, he’s seven inches taller than dad, made sure of that.

In two games last weekend, the sophomore allowed two goals on 70 shots, including a 35-save performance in a 3-1 win over Hockey East rival Massachusetts in the championship game Saturday.

Bishop was at his best with the title on the line, stopping all 15 shots in the final period, including five in the last 90 seconds. The only shot that got past him was when Matt Anderson’s snapper appeared to be deflected in front, cutting the Black Bears lead to 2-1 late in the second period.

Otherwise, Bishop was solid, showing remarkable foot speed, stick skills and a quick glove hand to go along with his 210-pound frame.

Best of all, Bishop showed few ill effects of a groin injury that had nagged him the past two months. It was an injury that forced him to miss Maine’s previous four games, all losses, including a two-game sweep by Massachusetts in the Hockey East quarterfinals.

Having Bishop back in net for the NCAA tournament was key for the Black Bears’ chances of advancing, considering the team went 2-6-0 without him this season.

“Like your No. 1 quarterback coming back into the huddle, it makes a world of difference just in presence alone,” Maine coach Tim Whitehead said. “He’s still not 100 percent with his injury. I was very impressed with his composure and his performance.”

Bishop felt helpless during the four-game losing streak, a skid some feared might cost the Black Bears a chance of making the NCAA tournament.

“It was like a second life,” Bishop said, when Maine was picked as the East Region’s No. 3 seed. “I wasn’t going to let anything hold me back.”

With a 21-8-2 record, Bishop has 42 victories over two seasons, becoming only the second Maine player to register two 20-win campaigns. The other was former NHLer and current New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow, who won 25 in 1991-92 and 21 the following season.

UMass coach Don Cahoon can attest to how big of a factor Bishop can be.

“He’s imposing,” Cahoon said. “He’s clearly a catalyst for them. They believe in him and they play better with him in net.”

Maine recruited Bishop after he went 35-8 in helping the Texas Tornado win the North American Hockey League title in 2005.

Black Bears senior forward Mike Hamilton recalled the first time he saw Bishop, initially believing he was a basketball recruit.

“I thought it was crazy,” Hamilton said. “You should see him dunking on the courts in spring season.”

Hamilton, though, is pleased hockey is Big Ben’s sport.

“I practice on the guy every day. I come down the wing and look and he takes up so much space that there’s not a lot to shoot at,” Hamilton said. “Ever since he’s been here, he’s been awesome.”