DENK LIFTS MAINE PAST VERMONT IN OVERTIME, 3-2
Junior forward Missy Denk scores 1:44 into overtime for Black Bears

Junior forward Missy Denk scored the game-winner for the Black Bears

Orono, Maine - Missy Denk (Poplar Grove, Illinois) scored 1:44 into the overtime period to give the University of Maine women's ice hockey team the 3-2 victory over Vermont. With the win, the Black Bears improve to 4-17-2, 1-10-1 in WHEA while the Catamounts fall to 6-13-3, 4-4-3 in WHEA.

Vermont notched the first two goals of the game via sticks of Sarah Campbell and Kellie Dineen. Erin Wente and Danielle Rancourt registered assists on the first goal while Megan Dalbec and Dayna Colang notched assists on the second.

Brittney Huneke (Hastings, Minnesota) got the Black Bears on the board first with a one-timer at 10:11 of the second period making the score 2-1 in favor of Vermont. Brittany Dougherty (Chesterfield, Michigan) passed the puck from the goal line across the ice to an open Chloe Tinkler (Wabush, Newfoundland) waiting at the top of the offensive zone, Tinkler wasted little time as she dished the puck back across the ice to a wide-open Huneke to beat the goalies pad for her third goal of the season. Tinkler notched her fifth assist of the season while Dougherty picked up her 15th.

Hailey Browne (Oakville, Ontario) notched her first goal as a Black Bear at 9:11 of the third period to tie the game a 2-2. Dougherty carried the puck up the right side of he ice into the offensive zone in a two on one opportunity, Dougherty dished the puck across Browne, Browne immediately passed it back to Dougherty who took the shot, Browne managed to find the rebound and poked it passed the outstretched goalie. Dougherty tallied her 16th assist of the season on the goal.

Denk notched her first goal of the season in phenomenal fashion. Her goal came at 1:44 of the overtime period on a power play opportunity. Tinkler passed the puck down from the top of the zone, finding Denk in the slot for the go ahead goal. Tinkler picks up her sixth assist on the goal.

Brittany Ott (St. Clair Shores, Michigan) anchored the Black Bears between the pipes, allowing two goals while registering 23 saves in the 3-2 win. Ott sees her record improve to 4-10-2 on the season.

The Black Bears held a 44-25 shot advantage over the Catamounts. Vermont outshot Maine 9-6 in the first period. Maine outshot Vermont 25-5 in the second, 13-11 in the third, and 2-0 in the overtime period.

Maine it's the road next weekend as it travels to Connecticut and Providence. The Black Bears will faceoff against Connecticut on Saturday, January 26 at 1:00 PM and Providence on Sunday, January 28 at 2:00 PM.