ORONO, Maine-- After a gritty back-and-forth contest, the Maine Black Bears defeated the St. Lawrence Saints 3-1 in the opening game at Alfond Arena on Saturday night.
First Goal: Chase Pearson cut in the zone on a break shorthanded, flying by his own bench. He battled with the defenseman before dropping his shoulder and cutting in on net, but was pulled down as he shoveled the puck in backhanded down in the crease. He flipped at the puck with the toe of his stick which squeaked out enough momentum to get the puck in.
Second Goal: Buzzing in the offensive zone following the power play, Ryan Smith peeled from the defenseman pressuring him on left face-off circle and flung the puck on net. Jack Quinlivan and Adrian Holesinsky supporting him in deep in the crease. Smith handled a feed from Sam Becker with Quinlivan harbored in the crease.
Third Goal: St. Lawrence's only goal of the night came on the power play, Philip Alftberg rifled a hard shot from the right side circle as Swayman was left out of the play from the screen in front. Assists came from Carson Giecewicz and Ryan Garvey on the man advantage.
Fourth Goal: Pearson's second of the night came on the power play, cutting in from the left side circle walking the goal like and roofing a backhanded shot after handling a pass in his skates from Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup, handing the pressure from two defensemen on him.
Notes:
-Power play went 1-for-7 and the penalty kill was 7-for-8.
-Maine outshot St. Lawrence 37-17 as Jeremy Swayman turned away 16-of-17 shots he faced.
-The Black Bears defense blocked 12 shots and won 40 faceoffs.
-Maine starts off the season with a 1-0-0 record, while St. Lawrence falls to 0-1-0.
Next:
The Black Bears return to the ice tomorrow night to host the Saints again, with puck drop at 7 p.m.
