ORONO, Maine -- Brianne Kilgour's (Hamilton, Ontario) goal with 6:15 remaining in the third period proved to be the game winner as the University of Maine women's ice hockey team skated to a 2-1 victory over Union on Saturday afternoon. The win pushes the Black Bears to 8-7-4 on the season while Union slips to 1-14-3. Dominique Goutsis (Coquitlam, British Columbia) tallied Maine's first goal.
The Black Bears would outshot Union 22-16 through the first two periods but both goaltenders made great stops to keep the game scoreless heading into the third period of play. With just 13 seconds remaining in the second period, Maine goaltender Candice Currier (Goffstown, N.H.) made a fantastic save to keep the game tied. Emma Rambo was stationed right in front of the Maine net and fired a shot to Currier's left. Currier stood her ground and made the point blank save, flashing her glove out and catching the puck.
Maine would take a 1-0 lead 6:47 into the third period when Goutsis tallied her third goal of the season. Kilgour chased down the puck deep in the right corner of the Union zone. Kilgour would send a pass into the slot where Goutsis was able to tap the puck into the back of the net. The goal would be reviewed but the video evidence proved the goal to be good. Jordan Colliton (Blackie, Alberta) also assisted on the goal for Maine.
The Black Bears extended their lead to 2-0 at the 13:45 mark when Kilgour found the back of the net. Colliton sent a pass down ice that Kilgour dug out of the far right corner in the Union zone. Kilgour fired the puck towards the net from a very tough angle. The shot clanged off the Dutchwomen goaltender and trickled into the goal. Missy Denk (Poplar Grove, Ill.) also assisted on the goal.
Union would pull Gallagher and skate 6-on-5 for the final 1:36 of the game. With the extra skater advantage, Stefanie Thomson was able to find the back of the net with just eight seconds remaining. Ashley Johnston rifled a shot that was blocked in front by a Maine defender. The loose puck trickled to Chelsey Heinuis who tapped it along to Thomson. Thomson gathered the puck and slipped a shot by Currier to pull the Dutchwomen within a goal. However, it was a little too late as Maine held on for the 2-1 victory.
The Black Bears outshot Union 37-22 in the game. Maine was 0-3 on the power play, breaking their streak as they had recorded a power play goal in their last six games. Union was 0-4 on the power play.
Currier's record improves to 2-1-1 on the season as she made 21 stops in net for Maine. Gallagher drops to 0-6-1 on the season with the loss after making 35 saves.
The Black Bears take a break for the Holidays before returning to Women's Hockey East action on Jan. 2 when they host the Providence College Friars at Alfond Arena. Game time is scheduled for 8 pm.