AMHERST, Mass. - Trailing 2-0 entering the third period, the #5/4 University of Maine men's ice hockey team came back to tie #16/14 UMass, 2-2, and win the shootout on Saturday night at the Mullins Center.
UMass scored exactly eight minutes into the contest and then doubled the lead just over a minute into the second period. The Black Bears killed off a five-minute major late in the second period but went into the intermission trailing by two. Just over five minutes into the third period, Josh Nadeau fed a streaking Luke Antonacci for a finish in front of the net. Four minutes later, Nicholas Niemo picked off a breakout pass and converted the chance for the 2-2 tie.
A late diving save from Albin Boija sent the game into overtime but neither team could score. Niemo and Sully Scholle converted their shootout attempts while Boija stopped two for the win.
#5 Maine 2, #16/14 UMass 2 (OT, SOW)
March 8, 2025 | Mullins Center
NOTABLES
- UMass has the 42-23 lead in shots on goal.
- Maine was 0-for-1 on the power play while keeping UMass to 0-for-4, including on a five-minute major.
- Albin Boija made 40 saves in moving to 21-7-5 on the year.
- The Black Bears are now 64-29-10 in the all-time series with the Minutemen.
- Luke Antonacci scored his first goal of the season.
- Nicholas Niemo recorded his third goal of the season.
- Josh Nadeau earned his 17th assist of the year while Frank Djurasevic recorded his 19th.
RECORDS
Maine: 21-7-6, 13-5-6 Hockey East
UMass: 19-12-5, 10-9-5 Hockey East
UP NEXT
Maine will host a to-be-determined opponent in Hockey East Tournament quarterfinal game on Saturday, March 15 at Alfond Arena.
