ORONO, Maine - David Wilson (Caledon East, Ontario) made 34 saves and Maine got goals from Jeff Marshall (Kyle, Saskatchewan) and Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) as the Black Bears skated to a 2-2 tie with top-ranked Boston University on Saturday night at Alfond Arena in Orono, Maine. Maine moves to 12-14-4 on the season with the tie and 7-11-3 in Hockey East play, while Boston University moves to 23-5-2, 14-5-2 in conference play.
After a heated, but scoreless first period the Black Bears broke the ice in a big way. At 13:15 of the second period, a Boston University shot went wide with a lengthy rebound up the right side of the ice to captain Jeff Marshall. Marshall skated down the ice and into the Terrier zone with a defender on his back, trying all he could to bring the captain down. The referee raised his hand for the delayed penalty as the Boston University defender sent Marshall crashing to the ground, but not before he could snap off a shot. The puck was gunned at the right post, catching part of the goalie, but all of the back of the net as the Maine captain scored his second goal of the season.
Even though the fans kept celebrating, the players got back to work as the Black Bears scored just one minute and two seconds later. Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) sent a cross ice pass to Simon Danis-Pepin (Vaudreauil-Dorion, Quebec) waiting in the far corner near the blue line. Danis-Pepin unloaded a thunderous shot that went wide right of the Terrier net. The puck bounced off of the back wall, directly to freshman Gustav Nyquist who was stationed on the goalie’s weak side. Nyquist knocked the puck past a helpless Grant Rollheiser for his 10th goal of the season at 14:17 in the second, giving Maine the 2-0 lead.
Boston University was able to finally quiet down the Alfond fans a few moments later on a John McCarthy goal with 4:33 left in the period. Brandon Yip fed Nick Bonino who rifled a shot at Maine goaltender David Wilson (Caledon East, Ontario).
Wilson’s save had an unfortunate rebound to McCarthy waiting to his left. McCarthy’s quick hands beat Wilson to the spot for his fourth goal of the season and cut the Black Bears’ led to 2-1.
The Terriers tied the game at 15:51 of the third period. Nick Bonino had a shot that Wilson swept behind the goal. Bonino was able to control the puck and skate to the other side of the goal and stuff the puck past Wilson for his 11 goal of the season. Brandon Yip assisted on the game-tying goal.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net during the remained of the third period or during the five minute overtime frame. Thus, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Maine was 0-for-6 on the power play, while Boston University was 0-for-5. The Terriers had a 36-21 advantage in shots on goal in the game.
Wilson was outstanding in goal for Maine, stopping 31 shots, including seven in overtime alone. Wilson moves to 3-6-1 on the season. Grant Rollheiser made 19 saves for the Terriers. He moves to 4-4-1 on the campaign.
The Black Bears return to action on Friday. Feb 20 when they travel to UMass for a 7 PM game with the Minutemen. Boston University returns to action on Friday, Feb. 20 when they host Hockey East leading Northeastern at 7 PM.