ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine men's ice hockey team defeated the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, 4-2, on Saturday evening in the Alfond Arena.
First Goal (1-0 Nanooks): 16 seconds into the second period, Alaska Fairbanks scored the first goal of the evening. While on their second power play opportunity of the evening, Jakob Breault scored the go ahead goal. The forward's goal was the product of a Connor Androlewicz save. The lead would soon grow.
Second Goal (2-0 Nanooks): Eight minutes later Didrik Henbrant gave his squad a short-lived two goal lead. Filip Fornaa Svensson flipped a pass that went the length of the ice and directly onto Henbrant's stick. The top line pair combined for the second Nanook tally of the frame.
Third Goal (2-1 Nanooks): 22 seconds after falling behind by two goals, Ben Poisson cut into the Fairbanks' lead. Lynden Breen's pass found an unmarked Poisson. The junior forward did the rest. Maine trailed by a goal halfway through the second period.
Fourth Goal (2-2): On a 5-on-3 advantage, Lynden Breen tied the non-conference contest at two. Donavan Villeneuve-Houle patiently waited for Breen to find his spot. Once his linemate cleared some ice, Houle dished the puck across for an easy Black Bear tally.
Fifth Goal (3-2 Maine): Donavan Villeneuve-Houle scored the game winning goal with 2:37 remaining in the third period. Lynden Breen's shot was saved and directed to Houle. The top liner fired a shot that found its way into the back of the net. Houle's goal was his third point of the evening.
Sixth Goal (4-2 Maine): Lynden Breen added an empty net goal in the final seconds of regulation. The Black Bears held onto the 4-2 lead for their first win of 2022.
Notes:
In his first career start, Connor Androlewicz stopped 27 shots for the Black Bears, while Gustavs Grigals tallied 40 saves for Alaska Fairbanks.
Maine went 1 for 4 on its power play opportunities, as the Nanooks were 1-4 on its player advantages.
The Black Bears blocked two shots and won 33 face-offs as a team.
Next:
Maine returns to the ice Friday, January 14 at UMass Lowell. Puck drop for the Hockey East contest is scheduled for 7:15 pm.
