PORTLAND, Maine - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team tied Mercyhurst 1-1 on Saturday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Billy Ryan had the lone goal for Maine as Ben Bishop had 18 saves on the night. Mercyhurst goalie Jordan Wakefield had 45 saves on the night. The Black Bears are now 10-3-2 on the season and 5-3-1 in Hockey East while Mercyhurst is 4-10-4 overall.

Mercyhurst got on the board first when Ben Cottreau scored at 3:42 with assists from Chris Trafford and Kirk Medernach. It was the eleventh goal of the season for Cottreau. Maine had a total of four power play chances in the first period, however only generated six shots with the advantage. Overall in the period, Maine had an eleven to seven lead on shots.

Early in the second period, with the Black Bears on their fifth power play of the game, Josh Soares (Hamilton, Ontario) had a shot saved. Then, with Mercyhurst with a man advantage, Michel Léveillé (Levis, Quebec) had a shorthanded chance saved by Wakefield eight minutes into the period. Léveillé had another shorthanded chance saved at the sixteen minute mark. The Black Bears tied the game when Brent Shepheard (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia) won a face-off in the left circle and fed the puck to Teddy Purcell (St. John's, Newfoundland). Purcell passed over to Mike Lundin (Apple Valley, Minn.) at the point for a shot at goal. Billy Ryan (Milton, Mass.) was in front of the net and tipped the shot in at 17:40. Lundin and Purcell had the assists on the power play goal. Maine had a 14 to five lead on shots in the second period.

In the third period, Maine continued to get shots and net, but Wakefield kept making the saves. At 10:48 in the third, Maine's Brent Shepheard hit the left post on a rebounded shot. In overtime, the Black Bears kept the pressure up, but despite three shots in the extra time did not get the game-winner. The game was the third overtime game of the season for Maine and the second tie of the season.

In goal, Maine's Ben Bishop had one goal against and 18 saves. For Mercyhurst, Jordan Waekfield had one goal against and 45 saves. Maine had 3 penalties for 6 minutes and Mercyhurst had 7 penalties for 14 minutes. On power plays, Maine was 1-7 and Mercyhurst was 0-3. For the game, Maine outshot the Lakers 46 to 19.

The Black Bears will take some time off for exams and semester break before heading down to Florida to face Western Michigan on December 29 in the Florida College Classic. For tickets or more information on University of Maine athletics, visit www.GoBlackBears.com or call 581-BEAR.