LOWELL, Mass. (Feb. 1, 2008) - Jonathan Maniff (Revere, Mass.) scored two goals, including the game-winning tally in the closing seconds of the game, as No. 16 UMass Lowell defeated the University of Maine, 3-2, Friday night in Hockey East action at the Tsongas Arena.
The River Hawks improve to 12-8-4 overall and 7-6-4 in Hockey East play. The Black Bears fall to 8-12-3 overall and 4-9-3 in league play.
In addition to Maniff, Kory Falite (Billerica, Mass.) scored for UML. Ben Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, Colo.) collected two assists.
Wes Clark (Oakville, Ont.) scored both goals for Maine.
The River Hawks scored the game's first two goals before Maine tallied two unanswered power play markers. Falite opened the scoring at 3:35 of the first period from Holmstrom and Jeremy Dehner (Madison, Wis.).
Maniff netted the first of his two strikes on the night at 8:37 of the first from Chris Auger (Belleville, Ont.) and Frank Stegnar (Toronto, Ont.).
Clark cut the UML lead in half with the first of his two markers on the night at 19:48 of the first period, and evened the score 7:53 into the second stanza.
The game remained tied until the last minute of the third period when Maniff netted his second of the game, and fourth against Maine this season.
Holmstrom won an offensive zone draw, to the left of the net. Maniff collected the puck, skated around the net, and beat Maine goaltender Ben Bishop (Des Peres, Mo.) with a wrap-around tally at 19:37.
Carter Hutton (Thunder Bay, Ont.) made 18 saves to earn his fourth win of the season. Bishop stopped 25 saves for Maine, but fell to 8-12-3 on the season with the loss.
The River Hawks out-shot the Black Bears 28 to 20 for the game. UML was 0-for-7 on the power play. Maine was 2-for-6 on the man-advantage. Friday’s game was the first time this season Lowell had allowed two power play goals in a game.
The River Hawks return to the ice Sunday afternoon at Vermont. The game is a 4:00 p.m. start and will be televised by ESPNU. The Black Bears are next in action Saturday night at Massachusetts.