ORONO, Maine — Union goalie Colin Stevens shutout the Maine Black Bears, 3-0, before 4,895 at the Alfond Arena.
The Black Bears kicked off homecoming weekend with a two-game series against the defending national champions and second-ranked Dutchmen.
At 6:26 of the first period, Mike Vecchione gave Union the only goal it needed. The Dutchmen were going for a line change when Vecchione fired in the shot from center ice. The puck deflected off the top of Maine goalie Matt Morris’ glove and landed in the back of the net.
“I was going to play the puck and I took my eye off it for a split-second; it shouldn’t have happened,” noted Morris.
Maine coach Red Gendron was pleased with his team’s penalty kill. The Black Bears killed off a five-minute major called on Malcolm Hayes for charging. The call came 34 seconds after the Vecchione goal.
Matt Wilkins and Spencer Foo added two in the third for the 3-0 final.
“We didn’t capitalize on our chances,” Gendron said. “They’re a good veteran team that plays well defensively. We missed the net and shot into the goalie’s hands too much.”
Stevens remained a mystery for the Black Bears. The senior made 29 saves in all, including a few key stops in the third period.
“Any time you can come on the road and come out with a win, it’s a good win,” Union coach Rick Bennett said.
Union, which improves to 3-0-0 on the season, has now won nine straight against Hockey East opponents, dating back to December 2012.
Maine drops to 0-3-0 and has only scored three goals this season.
The Black Bears will face off with Union again tomorrow night. Puck is set to drop at 7 p.m.
