ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team defeated the #17/#16 Providence College Friars, 3-2, on Friday evening in the Alfond Arena.
First Goal (1-0 Maine): After Nolan Renwick had his shot saved, Didrik Henbrant scored the first goal of the evening. Henbrant brought the puck the length of the ice before leaving it for Renwick. The sophomore's shot was saved directly to Henbrant who gave his squad a 1-0 lead.
Second Goal (1-1): Nick Poisson, Ben's brother who wears 12 for Providence, tied the Hockey East contest at one goal apiece with a goal at the 18:01 of the first period. Victor Ostman fell and lost one of his gloves before Nick Poisson punched home the game tying goal. At the first intermission, the game was tied 1-1.
Third Goal (2-1 #17/#16 Providence): After Maine killed seven minutes of penalties, the Friars scored a go-ahead goal. Craig Needham tipped a Cam McDonald shot into the Maine net. Ostman was unable to reposition after the re-direct. Five minutes into the second period, the Black Bears trailed 2-1.
Fourth Goal (2-2): Lynden Breen scored the game tying goal while on the power play. Brandon Holt's shot was saved but not covered. Donavan Villeneuve-Houle was able to touch the puck in Breen's direction. The tally sent the Hockey East contest into the second intermission with a score of 2-2.
Fifth Goal (3-2 Maine): From the blue line and through traffic, Jakub Sirota regained the lead for the Black Bears. Renwick, copying what he did earlier in the game, left the puck for a waiting attacker. The Captain's shot found its way through the Providence defense and into the back of the net. It would become the game winning goal as the Black Bears fought off a 6-on-4 to finish the contest.
Notes: Victor Ostman saved 29 shots in net for the Black Bears, while Philip Svedeback stopped 32 shots between the pipes for Providence College.
Maine went 1 for 3 on the power play, as the Friars were 0-6 on its player advantages.
Next: The two squads will return to the ice tomorrow, Saturday, January 28 for the series finale. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
