PORTLAND, Maine -- The University of Maine men's ice hockey team earned a 7-3 victory over the USA Under 18 team on Friday night in an exhibition match up in the Cumberland County Civic Center. The Black Bears were led by Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) who notched a goal and two assists, while Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) had a pair of goals.
Team USA leapt out to an early lead only 2:09 into the game on a quick goal by Kevin Lynch. Forward Jerry D'Amigo wrapped around the backside of the Maine goal to Dave Wilson's (Toronto, Ontario) left, only to pass the puck to Lynch positioned on Wilson's weakside for the score.
The Black Bears bounced right back in just 46 seconds after a David Valek penalty gave Maine the man advantage. Nyquist took a shot off of a Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) pass that was saved by Brandon Maxwell. Tanner House (Cochrane, Alberta) collected the rebound and put into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
Spencer Abbott gave the Black Bears the go ahead score with 2:45 left in the first period. Kyle Solomon's (Southampton, N.Y.) shot off of a Theo Andersson (Gothenburg, Sweden) pass created easy rebound opportunity for Abbott's goal.
Maine put some distance over Team USA when Nyquist added a goal at 1:36 into the second period to make it 3-1. Passes from House and Flynn set up Nyquist in front of the net where he faked a shot right, then scooped the puck over a diving Maxwell.
Flynn made it 4-1 later in the second with a another rebound goal at 8:12 into the period. Nyquist received a pass from Matt Duffy (Windham, Maine) that was stopped by Maxwell, but not secured, giving Flynn the chance he needed to score.
Near the end of the second period Maine notched its fifth consecutive goal when Nick Payson (Surry, Maine) stole a pass in neutral ice and skated up the left side. Payson's shot was chipped by Maxwell, but the puck trickled over his left shoulder and into the net to extend the 5-1 lead.
Team USA responded by opening the third period with a pair of goals by A.J. Treais, one only 42 into the period and the second 6:27 later, putting the game at 6-3.
The Black Bears closed out the game with a Kevin Swallow (Stanwood, Mich.) rebound goal off of a Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) shot with 9:02 remaining and Abbott's second score of the game from Duffy with 3:49 left to solidify the 7-3 victory.
Wilson made 16 saves as he picked up the exhibition victory. Josh Seeley (Howland, Maine) played the final 3:49 of the game for the Black Bears. Brandon Maxwell made 29 saves for the U.S. Under-18 Team. Maine outshot Team USA 36-19.
The Black Bears return to action on Sunday, January 4 when it hosts Hockey East rival New Hampshire at 4 p.m. at Alfond Arena in Orono.