University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Maine
Maine Rallies Late Defeating UMass Hockey 3-2
February 23, 2008 | Hockey
Feb. 23, 2008
ORONO, Maine - Matt Duffy scored with 3:47 remaining in the third period as Maine came from behind on Saturday night to defeat UMass 3-2 at Alfond Arena. UMass led the entire game until Duffy's game-winning goal earned the Black Bears their second win against UMass in the last seven games. Mike Kostka and P.J. Fenton each scored for the Minutemen who fall to 11-12-6 overall and 6-11-5 in Hockey East. The two teams will face each other again on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
Maine snapped a seven-game losing streak with the win and improves to 9-17-3 overall and 5-14-3 in Hockey East. The season series is now tied at 1-1 heading into Sunday's final meeting of the regular season. The Minutemen remain in eighth place in the Hockey East standings, while Maine remains in 10th place.
In the first period, Kostka opened the game's scoring just 1:33 into the action with a power play goal from just outside the right face off circle. Cory Quirk controlled the puck behind the net and sent a pass out front to Kostka who blasted home his sixth goal of the year - all on power plays. Maine answered nearly three minutes later with a power play goal of its own when Travis Ramsey sent a low shot from the right face off circle through traffic that sneaked through Dainton's legs and inside the right post.
The Minutemen escaped further damage after a five-minute major/game misconduct penalty was assessed to Kevin Kessler. The UMass penalty kill was up to the task and kept the Black Bears at bay keeping the game at 1-1 to end the period.
Both teams picked up their offensive production in the second period, but neither could find room past the two stalwart keepers. UMass fired 13 shots, while Maine had 10 for the frame.
UMass wasted no time in the third period to score the go-ahead goal with just 37 seconds off the clock. Chris Davis took control of a loose puck near center ice and skated inside the right face off circle before dropping it off to P.J. Fenton. Fenton fired a shot from point blank range that was saved, but not controlled by Bishop. Fenton found the rebound and put it home for the 2-1 UMass lead.
The Black Bears found an equalizer when Keif Orsini scored from just outside the left side of the crease with 6:10 remaining in the third period. Andrew Sweetland controlled the puck in the right corner and sent a pass to Orsini whose shot beat Dainton pad save just inside the left post.
With 3:47 to go, the Black Bears took their first lead of the game, 3-2, when Matt Duffy fired a hard shot from just inside the right blue line that deflected off a UMass defender and past Dainton's left shoulder.
UMass had to play the final 1:28 of the game shorthanded after a boarding call against Martin Nolet. UMass won the ensuing faceoff and worked the puck into its offensive zone pulling Dainton for the extra skater pulling back to even strength, but could not find the game-tying goal in the final minute.
