ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team defeated the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves, 4-3 in OT, on Saturday evening in the Alfond Arena.
First Goal (1-0 Maine): Luke Antonacci scored the first goal of the first period. Cole Hanson cycled the puck around to David Breazeale who flipped it across the blue line to the freshman. Trying to fire a puck on the net trying to make something happen, Antonacci scored second career goal. Maine's lead would not stand long.
Second Goal (1-1): Seconds into their first power play opportunity of the evening, the Seawolves tied the non-conference contest at one goal apiece. Failing to clear the puck from their own end, the Black Bears gave UAA a beautiful scoring chance. Ben Almquist picked up the loose puck and tied the game with a power play goal.
Third Goal (2-1 UAA): As the Seawolves power play opportunity expired, they scored the go-ahead goal. Scoring his second goal in the first period, Almquist gave his squad a 2-1 advantage.
Fourth Goal (2-2): Michael Mancinelli and Aidan Carney combined to score the game tying goal in the second period. Carney passed up an opportunity to shoot but instead gave Mancinelli an easy tap in. The goal was Mancinelli's first career at Maine, and Carney's assist was his first career point. At the end of two periods, the game was tied.
Fifth Goal (3-2 Maine): With less than five minutes left in regulation, Ben Poisson scored a go-ahead goal. Samuel Duerr left the puck for the senior forward who went the length of the ice to score. Looking as though the Black Bears were on their way to a victory, the Seawolves had one last effort.
Sixth Goal (3-3): Jarred White tied the non-conference game with 2:42 left. Alaska Anchorage forced a turnover that was collected by Caleb Hite. White's shot deflected off a Maine stick and into the net. The game was tied after 60:00.
Seventh Goal (4-3 Maine): Cole Hanson sent Black Bear Nation home happy with a goal at the 2:20 mark of the OT period. Ben Poisson forced a turnover and flipped the puck to Hanson. The forward's first shot was saved. The rebound bounced back to Hanson who did not miss this opportunity. The Black Bears completed the sweep of UAA with the 4-3 overtime victory.
Notes: Victor Ostman saved 17 shots in net for the Black Bears, while Jared Whale stopped 40 shots between the pipes for Alaska Anchorage.
Maine went 0 for 3 on the power play, as the Seawolves were 1-4 on its player advantages.
Next: The Black Bears will return to the ice Friday, January 13 for a Hockey East match-up against the UMass Lowell River Hawks. Puck drop in the Alfond is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
