Maine Defeated By US Under-18 Team, 6-2

Sophomore forward Brendan Robbins scored a goal for the Black Bears
Prd Time  Team Score Type Scored By Assists
1st 7:02  U181-0 EV Grant MismashMichael Pastujov, Evan Barratt
1st 7:16  U182-0 EV Josh NorrisJacob Tortora
1st 15:09  MNE1-2 PP Patrick HolwayRyan Smith, Patrick Shea
1st 16:00  U183-1 EV GW Quinn HughesJacob Tortora, Logan Cockerill
2nd 6:00  U184-1 EV Evan BarrattMichael Pastujov, Scott Reedy
2nd 9:27  MNE2-4 EV Brendan RobbinsJake Pappalardo, Robin Höglund
2nd 16:08  U185-2 PP Grant MismashScott Reedy, Evan Barratt
3rd 11:09  U186-2 PP Grant Mismash -
Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd Final
USA Under-18 Team  3216
Maine  1102
Shots on Goal 1st 2nd 3rd SOG
USA Under-18 Team  7131030
Maine  810725
Team Stats and Records  PP PIM SHGF
USA Under-18 Team  2/7 9/18 0
Maine  1/7 8/19 0
USA Under-18 Team Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Dylan St. Cyr (W)60:002 79723
Maine Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Stephen Mundinger (L)60:006 411924

The Maine Black Bears started 2017 off with an exhibition matchup against the US National Team Development Program. The opponent is made up of the most outstanding hockey players in the 1999 birth year.

The young guns of USNTDP came out flying early as Grant Mismash was able to put home a beautifully executed rush goal on assists from Michael Pastujov and team leading scorer Evan Barratt. Josh Norris was able to keep the momentum going for USNTDP scoring on a net drive just 14 seconds later on an assist from Jacob Tortora. Maine freshman Patrick Holway would cut into USNTDP's lead on the powerplay rifling a shot just under the bar on assists from fellow freshman Ryan Smith and Patrick Shea. However, USNTDP defenseman Quinn Hughes would find the back of the net just 41 seconds later, which would prove to be the game winner.

Evan Barratt of the USNTDP stretched the lead to 4-1 six minutes into the second frame, on assists from Michael Pastujov and Scott Reedy. However, Maine sophomore Brendan Robbins would cut the lead to 2 halfway through the second period on a beautiful far post net drive. The goal was set up by freshman Jake Pappalardo and Junior Robin Hoglund in his first contest as a Maine Black Bear. USNTDP would regain its 3 goal lead on a powerplay goal by Grant Mismash. The tic tac toe passing play was executed by Evan Barratt and Scott Reedy before Mismash was able to fire it home.

The third period was a penalty filled affair that saw Grant Mismash notch a hat trick tally unassisted on the powerplay. The exhibition would end with the Black Bears falling by a final score of 6-2. Freshman Stephen Mundinger would make 24 stops in his debut between the pipes, and USNTDP's Dylan St. Cyr would make 23 stops in the victory.

Maine hits the road next week, playing the University of Connecticut in a Hockey East Series. The first game will take place in Bridgeport, Connecticut before both teams meet in famous Fenway Park for an outdoor contest. Maine returns to Alfond Arena January 21 as they will take on the Boston University Terriers. Tickets are available at goblackbears.com or by calling 207-581-BEAR.