MAINE FALLS TO ST. LAWRENCE, 5-1

ORONO, Maine- St. Lawrence players Crystal Connors and Tara Akstull each notched two goals, while Sabrina Harbec tallied four assists to carry the Saints past the University of Maine women’s ice hockey team on Friday evening at Alfond Arena. With the loss the Black Bears fall to 6-9-2, while the Saints improve to 13-5-1.

Just 2:24 into the game St. Lawrence put their seventh ranked power-play to work with a goal from Annie Guay with 12 seconds remaining on the man advantage. Sabrina Harbee fed the puck to Guay just over the blueline. Guay skated to the left circle where she took a shot that beat Maine goaltender Genevieve Turgeon (Lac Beauport, Quebec) through the five hole. The Saints increased their lead with what would be the game-winning goal from Tara Akstull with just under four minutes remaining in the frist. Harbee had the initial shot that was saved by Turgeon, giving Harbee her second assist in the period. Julia Palmateer notched her first assist of the season with an assist on the goal as well.

During the second period St. Lawrence added two more goals, including Akstull’s second of the game to make it 4-0 before Maine got on board. It took Maine 10:39 to record a shot on goal in the second period, but the wait was worth it. The power-play goal, Maine’s first shot on goal of the period, was tipped on net by rookie Taryn Peacock (Calgary, Alberta). Senior captain Sonia Corriveau (Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec) cycled the puck to junior Jenna Cowan (Hartney, Manitoba) who took the shot. Connors netted her second goal of the game, a short handed goal with 6:04 remaining in the game to reopen a four goal bulge. Harbec had the helper, giving her four assists in the game.

The Saints outshot the Black Bears 42-17. Though she is credited with the loss, Turgeon tallied 37 saves in the game. St. Lawrence goaltender Meaghan Guckian tallied 17 saves in the win for the Saints.

The Black Bears return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 9 , when they finish up the two game series with St. Lawrence. Gametime at Alfond Arena is 2 p.m. For more information, please visit our website at www.goblackbears.com or call 581-BEAR.