ORONO, Maine -- Kyle Beattie (Avondale, Ariz.) scored the game-tying goal at 9:59 of the third period as the University of Maine men's ice hockey team skated to a 1-1 tie with Merrimack on Friday evening at Alfond Arena. Each team had power play chances in overtime, but neither team was able to notch the game-winning goal.
The two teams skated through a scoreless first period with the Black Bears holding an 8-7 edge in shots on goal. Connor Leen (Chester, N.Y.) had a couple of great chances early for the Black Bears. Maine goalie Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec) made a nice save on Merrimack's Tom McCarthy on an odd-man rush in the final minute of the frame to keep the game scoreless.
Merrimack struck first at 3:16 of the second period with a power play goal. Dan Kolomatis had a give-and-go with Shawn Bates. Kolomatis then received the puck back and beat Ouellette with a shot from the face-off circle. John Gustafsson also assisted on the goal for the Warriors.
Maine tied the game midway through the third period. Merrimack iced the puck and Ouellette stopped it behind the net and sent it to Bill Norman (Stockholm, Sweden). Norman skated the puck partially up the ice before passing to Beattie. Beattie got a step on the Merrimack defense and skated towards the net. He shot the puck between Merrimack goalie Sam Marotta and the post for his third goal of the season.
Both teams had chances in overtime as each team went on the power play, but neither was able to capitalize.
Maine outshot Merrimack 32-26 in the game. Both teams finished 1-for-4 on the power play.
Ouellette had another outstanding game for the Black Bears as he allowed just one goal on 26 shots. He moves to 3-6-4 on the season.
Marotta made 31 saves in goal for the Warriors and moves to 5-4-3.
Maine moves to 5-13-4 on the season and 1-8-4 in Hockey East play. Merrimack sees its record move to 8-9-5 overall, 6-5-2 in conference play.
The two teams return to action on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7 PM at Alfond Arena. Tickets for the game can be purchased at the door.