MAINE HOLDS ON TO DEFEAT NOTRE DAME, 2-1
Senior netminder Martin Ouellette makes 36 saves for Black Bears

Senior netminder Martin Ouellette made 36 saves for the Black Bears

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec) was outstanding in net, stopping 36 of the 37 shots that he faced to lead the University of Maine men's ice hockey team past Notre Dame 2-1 on Friday night in the inaugural conference meeting. Maine improves to 13-9-3 on the season and 7-4-2 in Hockey East play. Notre Dame falls to 15-12-1 overall, 4-9-1 in conference play.

Maine opened the scoring just 59 seconds into the game when Connor Leen (Chester, N.Y.) received a pass from Josh Henke (Trenton, Mich.) in the left face-off circle and fired the puck past UND goaltender Steven Summerhays. Cam Brown (Natick, Mass.) also picked up an assist on the opening goal. For Leen, it was his four goal of the season.

Maine added to its lead at 13:21 of the third period when Brice O'Connor (Londonderry, N.H.) had a shot from the top of the face-off circle elude traffic and find the back of the net. For O'Connor, it was his first goal of the season. Ben Hutton (Prescott, Ontario) also assisted on the goal.

Notre Dame applied pressure and pulled to within one goal at 18:37 of the third. The Irish pulled goalie Steven Summerhays in favor of an extra attacker and Jeff Costello beat Ouellette for his ninth goal of the season. Notre Dame nearly tied the game in the final minute but the goal was waved off and the Black Bears earned the 2-1 victory.

Notre Dame outshot Maine 37-31 in the game. The Black Bears were scoreless in two power play chances, while the Irish finished 0-for-3.

Ouellette was brilliant in goal for the Black Bears. He improves to 12-9-3 on the season. Summerhays falls to 13-11-1.

The two teams finish their two-game Hockey East season on Saturday. Puck drop is schedule for 8 PM from the Compton Family Ice Arena.