LOMBERG'S TWO GOALS LEAD MAINE PAST MERRIMACK, 2-1
Sophomore forward Ryan Lomberg scores two goals for Black Bears

Sophomore forward Ryan Lomberg scored both goals for the Black Bears

ORONO, Maine -- Ryan Lomberg (Richmond Hill, Ontario) scored a pair of goals as the University of Maine men's ice hockey team defeated Merrimack 2-1 on Friday night at Alfond Arena. The Black Bears improve to 14-10-3 on the season with the win and 8-5-2 in Hockey East play. Merrimack falls to 7-17-3 overall, 2-11-2 in conference action.

Maine got on the board first, scoring at 10:18 of the first period. Bill Norman (Stockholm, Sweden) gave the puck to Devin Shore (Ajax, Ontario) who had an initial shot on goal. Merrimack goalie Rasmus Tirronen made the save, but was unable to control the loose puck. Lomberg was in perfect position to fire it into the back of the goal. For Lomberg, it was his ninth goal of the season.

Merrimack tied the game at 1-1 less than five minutes later on the power play. Chris LeBlanc passed the puck to Justin Mansfield who fired a shot at Maine goalie Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec). Vinny Scotti, stationed on the goal post, redirected the puck past Ouellette and into the back of the net.

Maine scored what proved to be the game-winner at 11:26 of the second period. Shore began the play, feeding Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine). Anthoine carried the puck up the ice, getting a shot off in the crease. Tirronen stopped Anthoine, but the puck popped out to Lomberg, who capitalized with his second goal of the evening.

The goalies did the rest as neither team was able to score again. The Black Bears finished the game with a 30-24 edge in shots on goal. Maine was scoreless in four chances on the power play, while Merrimack converted one of its four opportunities.

Ouellette made 23 saves in goal en route to his 13th victory of the season. He improves to 13-10-3 overall. Tirronen made 28 saves and falls to 6-10-3.

The two teams conclude their two-game Hockey East series on Saturday, Feb. 15. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM from Alfond Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at www.goblackbearstickets.com(.)