ABBOTT'S FOUR POINTS HELP MAINE SWEEP ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE WITH 5-0 WIN
Senior forward Spencer Abbott posts goal and three assists for Black Bears

Senior forward Spencer Abbott had a goal and three assists for the Black Bears

ORONO, Maine -- Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) scored a goal and added three assists as the University of Maine men's ice hockey team swept the weekend series from the University of Alabama-Huntsville with a 5-0 victory on Saturday night at Alfond Arena. The Black Bears extend their winning streak to six games with the win. Maine improves to 16-8-3 on the season, while the University of Alabama-Huntsville falls to 2-26-1.

Maine took an early 1-0 lead with a power play goal at 3:18 of the first period. Spencer Abbott had a shot that Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) tipped to Mark Anthoine on the right post. Anthoine fired the puck past UAH goalie Clarke Saunders to give Maine the 1-0 lead. For Anthoine, it was his 10th goal of the season and ninth power play tally. It was Maine's 19th straight game with a power play goal.

Brice O'Connor (Londonderry, N.H.) notched his first carer goal less than three minutes later. O'Connor carried the puck into the zone and found Kyle Beattie (Avondale, Ariz.) on the far wall. O'Connor then skated towards the net and received the puck back from Beattie. His initial shot was stopped, but he was able to stuff the rebound past Saunders to give Maine the 2-0 lead. Ryan Hegarty (Arlington, Mass.) also assisted on the play.

The Black Bears took the 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

It did not take Maine long to add to its lead, as Flynn received a pass from Abbott and roofed a puck just under the cross bar just 26 seconds into the sescond period on the power play. For Flynn, it was his 14th goal of the season. Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) also assisted on the goal.

Maine extended the lead to 4-0 with its third power play goal of the game at 4:19 of the second period. Abbott had a shot from the slot and Matt Mangene (Miller Place, N.Y.) was able to get a piece of the rebound and fire it past Saunders. For Mangene, it was his 11th goal of the season.

Maine capped the scoring at 11:19 of the third period. Jake Rutt (Scarborough, Maine) had a shot that Flynn got a piece of and deflected to Abbott in the crease. Abbott slid the puck just inside the goal post for his 15th goal of the season.

Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) did the rest, stopping all 20 shots that he faced to record his first shutout of the season. He improves to 15-5-3 on the campaign. Clarke Saunders made 30 saves in goal for the Chargers and falls to 2-21-1.

Maine outshot UAH 35-20 in the game. The Black Bears were 3-for-6 on the power play, while UAH was scoreless in five chances.

The Black Bears return to action on Friday, Feb. 10 when they travel to Providence. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM from Schneider Arena.