ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine men's ice hockey team dropped a 4-3 decision to Boston University on Friday night at Alfond Arena. Boston University jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period, but the Black Bears answered with three goals in the span of 1:12. The Terriers, however, scored the final three goals of the game, including the game-winner at 3:43 of the third period, to earn the 4-3 win. Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) tallied his 13th and 14th goals of the season for the Black Bears in the game. Maine falls to 11-7-5 overall and 8-5-3 in Hockey East play. The Terriers improve to 12-7-6 overall and 9-5-4 in conference play.
Maine and Boston University took the momentum back and forth during the first period. Maine ended the period with a 15-13 shot advantage, but Boston University led on the scoreboard 1-0. After a turnover near center ice, Boston University senior, Chris Connolly shot a pass directly up ice to Corey Trivino who, while in a one-on-one scramble with a Maine defender, won the puck and wristed a forehand shot past the right shoulder of goalie, Shawn Sirman (Blezard Valley, Ontario). Max Nicastro also assisted on the play.
Maine began the second period with three goals in the span of 1:12. The frenzy of action started with two breakaway goals in transition by Abbott. Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) found Robby Dee (Plymouth, Minn.) who made a long pass to Abbott alone in the offensive zone for the first goal. Abbott fired a shot from the right face-off circle that just found the top right corner of the goal.
The second goal was scored in almost the exact same fashion and just 21 seconds later. Instead of Dee finding Abbott, it was Josh Van Dyk (Woodstock, Ontario), who found the streaking Abbott. Again, the puck found the top right corner of the goal. Shawn Sirman also picked up his first career assist on the play.
The Black Bears added a power play goal at 6:36 to extend their lead. Tanner House (Cochrane, Alberta) picked up the puck up in the slot off a BU turnover and one-timed it past BU goalie Kieran Millan to give Maine a 3-1 lead.
After a time out, Boston University answered back with a pair of goal in 28 seconds. The first came off of the stick of Alex Chiasson, who was able to slide the puck just between the left skate of Maine goalie Sirman and the post. Charlie Coyle and Matt Nieto each assisted on the goal. Wade Megan knotted the at 3-3 at 12:14 with his ninth goal of the season from Ross Gaudet
The Terriers netted the lone goal of the third period when Chiasson found David Warsofsky. Warsofsky beat Maine Sirman for his seventh goal of the season. Gaudet also assisted on the play.
Despite outshooting the Terriers 12-5 in the third period, the Black Bears were unable to find the back of the net and dropped the 4-3 decision.
Sirman made 23 saves in the game. He falls to 3-1-3 on the season. Kieran Millan stopped 34 shots in goal for the Terriers. He improves to 9-5-6.
Maine finished the game with a 37-27 edge in shots on goal. The Black Bears were 1-for-6 on the power play, while Boston University finished 0-for-7.
The game on Friday night marked the 100th career game for Maine juniors Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) and Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.). Each has missed just one game during their careers.
The Black Bears return to action on Saturday, Jan. 29 when they host Boston University in the second of their two-game series. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the door.