MAINE BLACK BEARS FALL TO MIAMI REDHAWKS AT FLORIDA COLLEGE CLASSIC, 4-1

Senior forward Robby Dee scored a goal for the Black Bears

ESTERO, Fla.-- The University of Maine men's ice hockey team dropped a 4-1 decision in a battle of top-10 teams in the first round of the 2010 Florida College Classic on Wednesday night in Estero, Fla. Maine falls to 8-5-4 on the season, while Miami improves to 11-5-3.

Miami took a 1-0 lead with a power play goal at 19:11 of the first period when Justin Vaive tipped a Cameron Schilling shot past Maine goalie Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.).

The RedHawks extended their lead to 2-0 when Andy Miele scored on a breakaway. Reilly Smith tipped the puck up to Miele. Miele scored his second of the game at 3:22 of the third period on an odd-man rush.

Maine got on the board midway through the third period with a power play goal by Dee. Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) got the puck to Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) who made the pass to Dee. Dee eluded his defender and beat Miami goalie Cody Reichard for his seventh goal of the season.

Alden Hirschfeld made it a 4-1 final when he tipped home the rebound of a power play shot at 15:52.

Miami finished the game with a 34-15 edge in shots. It was the first time this season that Maine has been outshot in a game. The Black Bears were 1-for-6 on the power play, while Miami scored on two of its four chances.

Maine goalie Dan Sullivan made 30 saves in net. He falls to 5-4-1 on the season. Cody Reichard made 14 stops for Miami. He improves to 7-3-0.

The Black Bears return to action when they face Cornell in the Florida College Classic consolation game at 4 PM on Thursday, Dec. 30.