MAINE POWERS PAST BEMIDJI STATE, 7-1
Six power-play goals pace Black Bears

ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team picked up a 7-1 win over Bemidji State in the home opener at Alfond Arena in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,450 fans on Friday night. Maine was led by Keenan Hopson with a goal and three assists and Bret Tyler with three assists. Seven different Black Bears scored in the game, while Ben Bishop had 21 saves in the win. Maine improves to 2-0-0 on the season.

The Black Bears took an early lead when Keenan Hopson (Prince George, British Columbia) scored a power play goal at 3:27 with assists from Bret Tyler (Maynard, Mass.) and Brent Shepheard (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia). Billy Ryan (Milton, Mass.) added a power play goal at 14:40 when he put in a rebound from a shot by Bret Tyler. Keenan Hopson had the second assist. Late in the third period, Keith Johnson (Windsor, Conn.) picked up a loose puck at the center line and went in on a break-away for a shorthanded goal at 19:13. Maine had a 3-0 lead after the first period and a 16-6 advantage on shots.

In the second period, Matt Duffy (Windham, Maine) scored on the power play with assists from Bret Tyler and Keenan Hopson at 12:27. However a Maine penalty gave the Beavers a chance to convert on the power play as well just twelve seconds later as Luke Erickson scored with an assist by Matt Pope at 12:39. Maine had a 20 to seven lead on shots in the second period.

With the game winding down, the Black Bears added three goals in the final four minutes. Michel Léveillé (Levis, Quebec) scored at 16:14 with assists from Rob Bellamy (Westfield, Mass.) and Mike Lundin (Apple Valley, Minn.) with Maine on a five-on-three power play. Wes Clark (Oakville, Ontario) scored on a five-on-three advantage with assists from Keith Johnson and Chris Hahn (Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan) at 17:22. Brent Shepheard closed out the scoring with a power play goal at 18:38 with an assist from Keenan Hopson. Bemidji State had a 10-7 lead on shots in the third period.

In goal, Maine's Ben Bishop allowed only one goal and had 21 saves, while Dave Wilson had one save in 8:56 of the third period. For Bemidji State, Layne Sedevie had seven goals against and 36 saves. Maine had ten penalties for 20 minutes and Bemidji State had 15 penalties for 30 minutes. On power plays, Maine was 6-12 and Bemidji State was 1-8. For the game, Maine outshot the Beavers 23 to 43.

Maine will host Bemidji State again on Saturday night at 8:00 pm in the conclusion of the two-game series. For tickets or more information on University of Maine athletics, visit www.GoBlackBears.com or call 581-BEAR.