PROVIDENCE COLLEGE EARNS WEEKEND SWEEP AT MAINE WITH 3-2 WIN
Sophomore goaltender Jon Gillies makes 35 saves for Friars

Sophomore goaltender Jon Gillies made 35 saves for the Friars

ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team dropped a 3-2 decision to Providence on Saturday night in the regular season finale at Alfond Arena. Maine got goals from Ryan Lomberg (Richmond Hill, Ontario) and Steven Swavely (Reading, Pa.) in the game. The Black Bears fall to 15-13-4 on the season and 9-8-3 in Hockey East play. Providence improves to 19-9-6 overall, 11-7-2 in conference action.

Before and after the game Maine honored its five seniors: Captain Brice O'Connor (Londonderry, N.H.), Jon Swavely (Reading, Pa.), assistant captain Mark Anthione (Lewiston, Maine), Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) and Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec).

Providence opened the scoring at 1:49 of the opening period when Nick Saracino found Shane Luke, who got off a quick shot, beating Maine goalie Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec).

Maine tied the game at a goal apiece at 12:18 of the first period. Eric Schurhamer (St. Paul, Minn.) dumped the puck in from the blueline to Conor Leen (Chester, N.Y.) behind the net. Leen found Lomberg, crashing the puck and gave him a perfect pass. Lomberg fired the puck past Providence goalie Jon Gillies for his 11th goal of the season.

The Friars took the lead back at 16:43 of the second period with a short-handed goal by Brandon Tanev. Noel Acciari was falling down, but was still able to get the pass off to Tanev, who notched his sixth goal of the season.

Anthony Florentino extended the Providence lead to 3-1 at 11:10 of the second period. Tom Parisi found Florentino on the blueline, who fired the puck into the back of the net.

Maine pulled to within one goal once again at 3:39 of the third period when Devin Shore (Ajax, Ontario) had the puck on the boards and found Steven Swavely (Reading, Pa.) alone in the slot. Swavely fired the puck into the back of the net for his ninth goal of the season. Leen also assisted on the play.

Maine outshot Merrimack 37-33 in the game. The Black Bears were scoreless in five power play chances, while Merrimack converted one of its five opportunities.

Ouellette made 17 saves in 30:54 and falls to 14-13-4 on the season. Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) replaced Ouellette and stopped all 13 shots that he faced.

Gillies made 35 saves in goal for the Friars and improves to 16-7-5.

Maine returns to action on Saturday, March 8 when it hosts Merrimack for a single game. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Maine ticket office at 207-581-BEAR starting on Monday morning or online at www.goblackbearstickets.com(.)