ORONO, Maine - Devin Shore (Ajax, Ontario) scored a goal and dished out four assists to lead the University of Maine men's ice hockey team to a 7-1 win over American International on Friday night at Alfond Arena. Connor Leen (Chester, N.Y.) had a goal and three assists in the victory for the Black Bears. Maine improves to 8-6-1 on the season, while America International falls to 3-11-0.
Maine opened the scoring at 8:01 of the first period when Steven Swavely (Reading, Pa.) scored on the rebound of a Shore shot. Leen tipped the puck to Swavely to pick up the primary assist on the goal. For Swavely, it was his fifth goal of the season.
Maine made it 2-0 when Dan Renouf (Pickering, Ontario) scored on a shot from the blueline on a pass from Shore. Leen deflected the puck to Shore to add his second assist in as many goals. For Renouf, it was his first career goal.
The Black Bears made it 3-0 in the final minute of the opening stanza. Shore had a shot that went just wide, but he was able to control the rebound and Leen tipped it to Schurhamer, who was coming into the offensive zone. Schurhamer had his slap shot beat AIC goalie Hunter Leisner.
Maine added to its lead with a shorthanded goal at 6:46 of the second period. AIC goalie Leisner appeared to have made a save on Shore, but he was not willing to give up on the play and the whistle never sounded He gained control of the puck and fired it into the back of the net. For Shore, it was his seventh goal of the season.
AIC got on the board at 10:03 of the second period. Maine goalie Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec) made a save on Chris Porter, but the rebound when right to Dan Clairmont, who shot it into the back of the net.
Maine added three third period goals to earn the 7-1 win. Leen tipped a Ben Hutton (Prescott, Ontario) shot past Leisner at 6:12 of the third period. Shore tipped the pass from Steven Swavely to Hutton, to pick up the second assist on the goal.
Maine added its second shorthanded goal of the game at 8:05 when Steven Swavely fed Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine) on an odd-man rush. For Anthoine, it was his sixth goal of the season.
Maine capped the scoring when Stu Higgins (Troy, Mich.) scored his third of the season at 11:41 of the third period from Hutton and Anthoine.
Maine finished the game with a 59-21 edge in shots on goal. The Black Bears were scoreless in one power play opportunity, while AIC was scoreless in four chances.
Maine goalie Martin Ouellette made 20 saves in goal and improves to 8-6-1 on the season. Leisner made 48 saves in 54:15, while Ryan Kerpan stopped four shots in 5:45.
The two teams finish their two-game weekend series on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Alfond Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM.