The No. 13 Maine Black Bears trailed twice Friday night versus the Northeastern University Huskies but battled back each time to tie the game and finally won the game in the third period, 3-2.
After the game Maine head coach Tim Whitehead seemed pleased: “We bounced back twice, thought they played very well, I really like their team. I was pleased to see how we were able to bounce back each time they scored and then we were fortunate to get the only goal in the third and survive a crazy goal in the third.â€
The Huskies took the lead in the first period when Dennis McCauley took a wrist shot that beat a frozen Ben Bishop. McCauley got a pass from Greg Costa that after he kicked it to himself was able to beat Bishop glove side. Randy Guzior also collected an assist.
Northeastern held the lead for a little over five minutes before Jeff Marshall deflected a Bret Tyler shot past Brad Thieseen. Northeastern immediately tried argued that Marshall’s stick was about the crossbar but official Tom Fyrer consulted with his linesmen and ruled it a goal much to the chagrin of the 3,310 in the building. Wes Clark recorded his first assist of the game.
On the power play to start the second period the Huskies wasted no time, taking only 18 seconds to take the lead once again. Lone senior Jimmy Russo took a shot from the point that was deflected in by sophomore Greg Costa. It was both players’ first points for the year.
The Huskies continued to pressure during the second, Joe Vitale hit the post and crossbar on a shorthanded bid. Moments later Chad Costello and Steve Silva came down two-on-one, Silva delivered a pass to Costello who wasn’t able to finish the play as the defense was pressuring.
With 11:00 to go in the second and the Bears on a power-play when Keenan Hopson won a face-off forward and kept pushing forward getting his stick on the puck again and hacking it towards the net, the puck eventually rolled past Thieseen for an unassisted power-play goal.
The teams went into the locker room tied 2-2 with a period left to play. The third period was littered with chances by both squads but Maine was able to break through on a Tanner House goal fed by Wes Clark.
“I get a break out pass from Jeff Dimmen just went wide, shot low, got the rebound and saw Tanner House to the back of me, thankfully he buried it for the winner.†Wes Clark said after the game.
The first lead of the night for Maine would be all they would need, as they were able to hold off the Huskies for the rest of the game. Northeastern had a flurry of chances including two power-play opportunities within the last five minutes of the game but Maine’s netminder was able to hold the Huskies from scoring.
“I thought we needed to have a little more composure with our sticks late in the game.†Tim Whitehead said. “Having said that we were able to do a nice job killing them off.â€
“The bottom line is they out worked us, we got behind the eight ball and picked it up in the third period but that’s not enough†a dejected Northeastern head coach Greg Cronin said after the game.
When the zamboni took the rink for the final time, both Ben Bishop and Brad Thieseen had turned away 32 shots. The Maine power-play went 1-6, NU 1-5.
“It’s only one game, tomorrow is worth just as much as tonight†cautioned Whitehead.
