FIVE-GOAL SECOND PROPELS MAINE PAST NORTH DAKOTA, 6-2
Michel Léveillé has three-point game

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team picked up a 6-2 win over North Dakota at Ralph Engelstad Arena on Friday night. Maine had five goals in the second period by Teddy Purcell, Josh Soares, Keith Johnson, Michel Léveillé and Mike Lundin to take the lead. Ben Bishop had 15 saves and one goal against in the win. Maine, ranked fourth in the nation, improves to 4-0-0 on the season while North Dakota, ranked third, falls to 3-2-0 overall.

The Black Bears had the first power play chance of the night just 1:04 into the first period, but it was cut short by a Maine penalty. Ben Bishop (Des Peres, Mo.) came up with three saves in a row six minutes into the game. The first strong chance for the Black Bears came at 9:50 when Josh Soares (Hamilton, Ontario) fired a shot that was saved by Philippe Lamoureux, but the rebound came straight out to Wes Clark (Oakville, Ontario) who had his shot saved as well. It was the Fighting Sioux who got on the board first when T.J. Oshie and Brian Lee had assists on a goal by Ryan Duncan at 14:39. Maine had one more power play chance late in the period, however could not convert. In the period, Maine and North Dakota each had nine shots on goal.

In the second period, Maine took over the game. While on the power play, Teddy Purcell (St. John's, Newfoundland) found the back of the net with an assist from Michel Léveillé (Levis, Quebec) at 3:37. Things got a little rough when Brent Shepheard (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia) and Kyle Radke were both sent to the penalty box with matching double-minors for roughing. Maine ended up with another power play goal when Josh Soares tipped in a slow-moving shot by Michel Léveillé. Mike Lundin (Apple Valley, Minn.) also had an assist on the goal at 7:33.

Things continued to go the way of the Black Bears when Keith Johnson (Windsor, Conn.) scored an even-strength goal at 11:07 with an assist by Billy Ryan (Milton, Mass.). Just 24 seconds later, Michel Léveillé added a goal with assists from Josh Soares and Teddy Purcell at 11:31. Late in the second period, the Fighting Sioux defense tried to ice the puck while on the penalty kill, but Mike Lundin was able to intercept it and fire a shot past Lamoureux for the unassisted goal at 18:43. Maine had a 14-2 lead on shots in the period.

Maine was able to kill several North Dakota power plays in the third period as shots were even at eight each in the period. North Dakota scored at 15:09 when Matt Watkins scored with assists by Chris Porter and Hunter Bishop. Maine was able to add a final goal when Brent Shepheard buried a rebound from a shot by Wes Clark with just 37 seconds left in the game. Keith Johnson also had an assist on the final goal.

In goal, Maine's Ben Bishop allowed one goal and had 15 saves. For North Dakota, Philippe Lamoureux had six goals against and 25 saves. Maine had 13 penalties for 29 minutes and North Dakota had 16 penalties for 43 minutes. On power plays, Maine was 3-7 and North Dakota was 0-4. For the game, Maine outshot the Fighting Sioux 31 to 19.

Maine completes the two-game series against North Dakota on Saturday night and returns home on October 28 for the Hockey East opener against Massachusetts. Both games will air on WABI-TV 5 in Bangor. For tickets or more information on University of Maine athletics, visit www.GoBlackBears.com or call 581-BEAR.