Coming off a weekend sweep of RPI, the University of Maine Black Bears (3-0-0) were ready to faceoff against the No. 3 Quinnipiac Bobcats(1-1-1), but couldn’t quite seem to get enough going until the third period and overtime, when they did just enough to come away with the win.
The opening period was as physical as it was fast, with both teams playing to win from the start. Netminders for both teams were ready for battle, fighting through the first period to earn six saves for Maine’s Rob McGovern and 10 saves for the Bobcats’ Chris Truehl.
It wasn’t until the second period that Quinnipiac finally started the scoring with two quick goals from Andrew Taverner and Thomas Aldworth at 11:49 and 13:15, respectively. The remaining time in the second mirrored much of the first, with defense and great netminding being the story. The physicality seemed to reach a pitch with 1:51 remaining in the second when Tanner MacMaster of Quinnipiac and Keith Muehlbaur of Maine were both called for roughing after engaging in some festive discussion and physical contact near the blue line.
Maine coach Red Gendron said that one of the differences between this team and last year’s is “not only the depth of offensive talent, but the attitude. Quinnipiac played their tails off, but we got a little bit the better of it at the end.”
Maine finally got on the board in the third when Nolan Vesey capitalized on a power play for the Black Bears, scoring with 13:45 remaining. The Bobcats answered at 8:29 of the third when Tanner MacMaster made up for his earlier roughing penalty and put the rebound in the back of the net.
Maine showed a spirit that was often lacking last year when Eric Schurhamer scored at 13:05 in the third period, bringing Maine back within one. A falling goal by Patrick Shea tied the game up with 4:53 remaining.
Physicality was the name of this game, as Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold said, “I don’t remember the last time we gave up 12 power plays. I mean, I don’t remember. When you give up that many power plays, it’s bound to happen.”
When asked what is different about this team, Eric Schurhamer said, “We have a little bit more swagger. We have a little more belief in the locker room.”
Freshman Mitchell Fossier scored in the OT, his fifth tally in three games, to get the win for Maine.
Hockey East results
No. 16 Northeastern 1, at Bentley 1
Nolan Stevens of Northeastern and Alexey Soloveyev of Bentley each scored a goal as the Huskies and the Falcons played to a 1-1 tie. The Huskies outshot Bentley 35-23, but couldn’t capitalize on those shots.
No. 8 Massachusetts-Lowell at Colorado College
In a wild back-and-forth game, Lowell held off a determined Colorado College squad with an 8-5 win. Ryan Dmowski and John Edwardh each scored twice for Lowell, and goaltender
Merrimack 0, at Clarkson 4
Devin Brousseau and Greg Moro each got two assists and Jake Kelly made 23 saves as Clarkson blanked Merrimack, 4-0. Clarkson scored one goal on a power play and another short-handed.
Connecticut 4, at Colgate 4
The Huskies and Colgate played a hard-fought 4-4 draw. Evan Peterson of Colgate scored two of the goals, and David Drake of UConn was credited with a goal and an assist.
No. 2 Boston University at No. 10 Denver
Boston University rallied with two goals in the third period, but fell short against Denver, 4-3. Evan Janssen scored twice for Denver in the second period, including the game-winning goal, and Tanner Jaillet made 23 saves for Denver.
New Hampshire 2, at No. 15 St. Lawrence 6
St. Lawrence scored two quick goals in the first period and never looked back, as the Saints beat the Wildcats 6-2. Six different St. Lawrence players scored a goal and an assist. UNH Was led by Tyler Kelleher, who garnered a goal and an assist on the night.
No. 5 Notre Dame 3, at No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth 4
In a game featuring six first-period goals, the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs beat out the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 4-3. Adam Johnson scored twice for UMD, while Notre Dame goalie Cal Petersen had 28 saves for the Irish.
No. 6 Boston College at Wisconsin
Wisconsin defeated the Boston College Eagles, 3-1, at home in Madison. Matt Jurusik of the Badgers tallied 29 saves to help Wisconsin outlast the Eagles, and Ryan Wagner scored the game-winner on a five-on-three power play.
