BLACK BEARS EDGE WARRIORS, 2-1
Dave Wilson posts 19 saves for Maine

Dave Wilson made 19 saves for the Black Bears

ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine men's ice hockey team extended its winning streak to six games with a 2-1 victory over Merrimack on Friday night at Alfond Arena in Orono, Maine. Maine improves to 7-3-0 on the season with the win and 4-2-0 in Hockey East play. Merrimack falls to 3-6-2 overall and 1-5-1 in conference play.

Merrimack struck first with a goal just 46 seconds into the game after picking up a loose puck to create a three-on-one situation in the Black Bears' zone. The puck started on the right, as Chris Barton slide it to Jesse Todd in the middle, who then passed it to J.C. Robitaille on the far left to beat Maine goaltender Dave Wilson (Caledon East, Ontario) for the goal. For Robitaille, it was his second goal of the season.

The Black Bears responded just over five minutes later. Lem Randall (Snow Lake, Manitoba) rimmed the puck into the offensive zone where Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) picked it up. Abbott found Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) on the blueline who was able to beat Merrimack netminder Andrew Braithwaite for his first collegiate goal to knot the game at 1-1

The Black Bears were able to score the eventual game-winner less than five minutes later. Josh Van Dyk (Woodstock, Ontario) began the play in transition and got the puck up to Jeff Marshall (Kyle, Saskatchewan) who had the initial shot on Braithwaite. Braithwaite was able to stop the shot by Marshall, but the puck went right to Brett Carriere (Ottawa, Ontario) who was easily able to find the back of the net for his first collegiate goal.

Neither team was able to get on the board the remainder of the game. Maine held a 23-20 edge in shots on goal in the game. The Black Bears were 0-for-6 on the power play, while Merrimack was 0-for-4 with the man-advantage.

Maine goalie Wilson stopped 19 of the 20 shots that he faced as he improved to 2-2-0 on the season. Braithwaite made 21 saves and falls to 2-5-0 on the season.

The two teams return to action on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 pm at Alfond Arena. Tickets remain for the game and can be purchased at the door.