MAINE BLACK BEARS FALL TO BEMIDJI STATE BEAVERS IN OVERTIME, 3-2

Senior forward Myriam Croussette picked up a goal for the Black Bears

ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine Women's Ice Hockey team suffer its first loss of the season as it dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to visiting Bemidji State on Friday evening. The loss slips Maine back to 4-1-0 while the Beavers improve to 2-1-2. Myriam Croussette (Baie-Comeau, Quebec) and Danielle Ward (Lansing, Mich.) tallied goals for Maine.

After a scoreless period, the Black Bears would break the ice first as Croussette lit the lamp for her fifth time this season just 46 seconds into the second period. The play developed when Ashley Norum (Fairbanks, Alaska) fired a shot from the point that was knocked down by a defender in front of the Beaver net. Dawn Sullivan (Enfield, Nova Scotia) was able to tip the loose puck to Brittany Dougherty (Chesterfield, Mich.) who was then able to slide a pass to Croussette on the doorstep who tapped the puck home.

Bemidji State tied things up 10:10 into the second period when Erika Wheelhouse tallied a power play goal for the Beavers. Wheelhouse was able to fire a slapshot over Maine goalkeeper Brittany Ott's (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) blocker shoulder, tying things at 1-1.

The Black Bears would once again take a one goal lead when Ward drew a penalty shot after she was taken down while skating in all alone on Beaver goaltender Zuzana Tomcikova. Ward setup on the penalty shot at center ice and skated in towards the Beaver net. She deeked once to the left, faked right and held until Tomcikova dropped while Ward brought the puck to her right side and slid a shot past the outstretched left pad of the Beaver goaltender.

The Black Bears would hold a 2-1 advantage until the Beavers, who were already on the power play, pulled their netmind with just over two minutes to play, giving them a six-on-four advantage. Emily Erickson was able to tie things with just 1:50 seconds remaining in regulation when she one timed a cross ice pass from Marlee Wheelhouse. The goal tied things at 2-2 and would eventually cause overtime.

The Black Bears were whistled for a penalty just three seconds into the overtime period, which the Beavers would take advantage of as Tess Duski would tally the game-winner, 1:54 into the extra session.

Bemidji State held a slight edge in shots on goal, 32-27. The Beavers were 3-for-9 on the power play while the Black Bears went 0-for-7 with an extra skater.

Ott made 29 saves in net for Maine but falls to 1-1-0 on the season while Tomcikova moves to 2-1-2 after making 25 stops for the Beavers.

The two teams battle again tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Alfond Arena.