Orono, Maine- Connor Leen (Chester, N.Y.) scored 3:27 into overtime to give the University of Maine men's ice hockey team a 3-2 win over UMass on Friday night at Alfond Arena. The Black Bears move to 2-2 on the season with the victory.
Maine opened the scoring at 6:48 of the opening period when Josh Henke (Trenton, Mich.) passed to Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine) crashing the goal. Anthoine one-timed the puck past UMass goalie Steve Mastalerz for his second goal of the season. Steven Swavely (Reading, Pa.) also assisted on the goal for Maine.
The Black Bears took advantage of a 5-on-3 late in the first period to add to their lead. Henke notched his second assist of the evening when he passed to Devin Shore (Ajax, Ontario). Shore, who looked like he was going shoot, instead passed the puck off to Ben Hutton (Prescott, Ontario), stationed on the goal line. Hutton one-timed the puck past Mastalerz to give the Black Bears the 2-0 lead.
UMass, however, answered right back. Troy Power made a long pass to Ray Pigozzi, who broke in partially alone and beat Maine goalie Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec) stick side just over two minutes later.
UMass tied the game at 2-2 at 13:50 of the second period when Conor Sheary stick handled through traffic and beat Ouellette with a shot that snuck just inside the goal post.
The game remained tied until Leen's power play goal in overtime. Shore had the puck behind the goal and spotted Leen just outside the crease. He made the pass and Leen fired the puck past Mastalerz to give the Black Bears the 3-2 win. Ryan Lomberg (Richmond Hill, Ontario) also assisted on the game-winner.
Maine finished the game with a 37-29 edge in shots on goal. The Black Bears converted two of their seven power play opportunities, while UMass finished 1-for-6 with the man advantage.
Ouellette stopped 27 saves in goal for the Black Bears and improves to 2-2 on the season. Mastalerz made 34 saves for the Minutemen.
The two teams finish their two-game series on Saturday night at Alfond Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 PM.