ORONO, Maine- The University of Maine women's ice hockey team defeated UNH 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Alfond Arena. Kayla Kaluzny (Calgary, Alberta) scored her first goal of the season. The Black Bears and the Wildcats faced off for the second game in a two game series. UNH was hungry for a win after Maine came out on top in the first game. Both teams opened the game with physical play. UNH had 14 shots in the first period but, did not convert. Maine had 6 shots on goal. The period ended scoreless.
The Black Bears were 0-2 on the power play in the first while UNH was 0-1.
The second period was just as intense both teams were looking to get on the board. The Black Bears outshot UNH 11 to 6 in the scoreless second period.
After two quiet periods, the game came alive in the third. Late in the game Maine got on the board when Haley Browne (Oakville, Ontario) found Kaluzny in front of the net for a goal at 6:16 into the period.
A while later, Maine struck again. Audra Richards (Maplewood, Minn.) took on the Wildcat defense and fired the puck in the back of the net to give Maine a 2-0 led at 12:45 into the period.
Black Bear Kelly McDonald (Ancaster, Ontario) entered the penalty box giving UNH a power play opportunity late in the game. Heather Kashman drove the puck passed Maine goalie Meghann Treacy (Lake Peekskill, N.Y.) at 17:21 into the period.
The Wildcats pulled goalie Ashley Wilkes to create a stronger offensive front. A breakdown in the UNH defense allowed Karissa Kirkup (Virden, Manitoba) to skate by and score an empty net goal on a pass from Browne to seal Maine's win.
Maine improves to a 5-16-5 record while UNH falls to a 9-15-2.
Wilkes made 23 saves while Treacy stopped 32.
Maine continues their season with a game at Vermont on Feb. 8th.