ORONO, Maine-The University of Maine women's ice hockey team defeated UNH 3-2 in overtime on Saturday at Alfond Arena. Audra Richards (Maplewood, Minn.) scored two goals for the Black Bears.
The Black Bears and the Wildcats played to an overtime tie in their first meeting of the season. Saturday, Maine tried to get on the board early in the first period when Jessica Vallotton (Glenboro, Manitoba) took a slap shot that went into the top right corner of the net. However, the officials immediately waved off the goal keeping the first period scoreless.
The Wildcats outshot Maine 8 to 5 in the first period.
Maine started the second period with a bang. Seconds into the period Hailey Browne (Oakville, Ontario) found Brooklyn Langlois (Steinbach, Mantioba) who passed the puck to Karissa Kirkup (Virden, Manitoba) for a one on one with a UNH defender. Kirkup skated by the Wildcat and fired the puck in the back of the net. The Black Bears led 1-0 at the end of the second period.
The Black Bears tried to cushion the lead minutes later in the second when a goal was scored in front of the net. The officials waved it off on an interference call.
UNH tied the game in the third period when Maine's Katy Massey (Waterville, Maine) went in the penalty box for tripping giving the Wildcats a power play opportunity. UNH was successful on the power play at 2:20 into the third as Hannah Armstrong put the puck in the net on a pass from Jessi Hitchcock.
The Wildcats fired for another third period goal taking the lead at 3:33 into the period when Alexis Crossley put one by Maine goalie Meghann Treacy (Lake Peekskill, N.Y.) with an assist from Kayla Mork.
In the final seconds of the period, Richards sent the puck passed UNH goalie Vilma Vaattovaara to tie the game at 19:18 into the period.
UNH outshot Maine 11 to 7 in the third period.
At 2:53 into overtime, Langlois found Brianne Kilgour (Hamiltion, Ontario) up the ice. Kilgour passed the puck to Richards who took on the Wildcats defense and powered the puck by Vaatovaara for the game-winning goal.
Maine improves to a 4-16-5 on the season while UNH moves to a 9-15-2.
Treacy had 29 saves and Vaatovaara stopped 19.
Maine continues their series against UNH Sunday at Alfond Arena. The puck drops at 3pm.