SCOTT DARLING

Maine

So. | G | Lemont, Ill.

Darling made 29 saves in Maine's upset win against Boston University in Game 2 of the Hockey East quarterfinals.

Key Statistics: Darling started strong, leading Hockey East in goals-against average (1.41) and save percentage (.944) in the first half of the season while racing to an 8-3-1 record. He only won two out of 15 appearances after Christmas, however, allowing at least three goals in 12 of those games. Not all of that was the goaltender’s fault, it should be noted – the Maine offense only surpassed three goals twice in that time.

What He Does: Like his predecessor, 6-foot-7 Ben Bishop, Darling is a tall goaltender (6-foot-5) with pro potential (a Phoenix Coyotes draft pick) and a butterfly style. He spent much of his freshman season working to refine and sharpen his movements in the crease.

The Bigger Picture: Darling was part of a talented freshman class at Maine last season that boasted four NHL Draft picks and the team’s top two scorers. The group helped the Black Bears return to the Hockey East playoffs and hand Boston University a quarterfinal loss before falling in the best-of-three series, but that barely qualifies as progress for a program that went to the 2006 and ’07 Frozen Fours. Darling and his teammates need to show their first semester form for a full season for Maine to make a real improvement.

Darling, on his first season, to the Portland Press-Herald’s Rachel Lenzi: “I learned how to battle under pressure, bounce back from adversity and work through the second half. Goaltending-wise, I learned about fighting through traffic and seeing the screens and controlling the rebounds through the screens. I think I’ll be that much better next year.”