BLACK BEARS FALL TO FIGHTING SIOUX, 3-1

Spencer Abbott scored for the Black Bears

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - North Dakota scored two goals in the final 5:25 of regulation to defeat Maine 3-1 in men's hockey action on Friday night at Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) tallied the lone goal for the Black Bears in the second period.

Maine falls to 1-2-0 on the season, while North Dakota improves to 2-1-0 on the season.

The two teams played through a scoreless first period. Maine, which had a couple of great chances on a pair of Fighting Sioux penalties, finished the frame with an 11-6 edge in shots on goal.

Maine took the lead at 2:03 of the second period. UND forward Michael Parks was whistled for interference just 1:58 into the second period. Off the ensuring face-off, Kyle Beattie (Avondale, Ariz.) got the puck to Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) on the left blueline. He passed to Spencer Abbott on the opposite blueline. He fired a shot past Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness for his team-leading third goal of the season.

North Dakota tied the game minutes later when Parks stuffed home a rebound of his initial shot on the right post at 5:01. Mario Lamoureux and Andrew Panzarella each assisted on the goal.

The two teams went into the second intermission tied at 1-1. Maine outshot the Fighting Sioux 26-14 through two periods of play.

North Dakota took a 2-1 lead at 14:35 of the third period. Corban Knight won a face-off back to Ben Blood. Blood skated to the top of the circle and fired a shot over Martin Ouellette's (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec) glove.

Knight gave the Fighting Sioux a 3-1 lead at 18:35. He received a pass from Blood on the far goal post and tapped the puck into the net. Ouellette had already committed to play the initial shot. Danny Kristo also assisted on the goal.

Maine finished the game with 31-21 edge in shots on goal. The Black Bears were 1-for-4 on the power play, while North Dakota was 0-for-6.

Ouellette made 18 saves in goal for the Black Bears. He falls to 0-2-0 on the season.

Brad Eidsness got the start for the Fighting Sioux. He stopped 30 shots and improves to 1-0-0.

The two teams conclude their two-game series on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Engelstad Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 PM eastern time.