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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Maine
Last Minute Goal Lifts Maine Over UMass Hockey, 2-1
February 01, 2009 | Hockey
Feb. 1, 2009
ORONO, Maine - Jeff Dimmen's goal with 26.5 seconds remaining in regulation lifted the Maine Black Bears past the UMass Minutemen 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Alfond Arena. Dimmen took a pass from Chris Hahn and ripped a one-timer past UMass goaltender Paul Dainton for the game-winner. Casey Wellman scored the lone goal for the Minutemen, while Dainton made 27 saves in the loss. Dave Wilson got the start in goal for Maine, making 21 saves. UMass Hockey will be back in action on Friday when they will travel to Chestnut Hill, Mass. for the series finale against Boston College. Gametime is scheduled for 7 PM.
Maine (11-12-3, 6-9-2 HEA) outshot the Minutemen 29-22 for the game, including a 14-6 advantage in the third period. UMass (11-12-3, 6-8-3 HEA) was 1-for-5 on the power play while the Black Bears held the advantage in faceoffs, winning 33-63 draws.
The Black Bears came out hard early in the first period, capitalizing on a power play opportunity just 44 seconds into the period. Matt Duffy netted his fifth goal of the season after Maine went on the man-advantage 35 seconds into the period. Duffy and Will O'Neill were playing catch on the blue line. O'Neill then fed Duffy with a pass, and Duffy one-timed the puck over Dainton's shoulder for the goal.
Following the goal, the Minutemen started to get some chances of their own, but Wilson was there to turn away all seven UMass shots for the period. The Minutemen also pressured Maine to the boards, forcing the Black Bears into shots from the sides of Dainton.
Neither team could create any momentum during the second period, but Massachusetts was able to convert on its fourth power play opportunity of the afternoon with 1:28 left in the stanza. When Wellman controlled the puck inside the blue line, he let a low wrist shot go into traffic. Chase Langeraap was stationed in front of the net screening Wilson, enabling the puck to get past him for the score.
Prior to the goal, the Minutemen had several other chances to get on the board. While on the power play, James Marcou threaded a pass through the crease to T.J. Syner on the doorstep, but Wilson went post to post to deny the chance.
The Black Bears outshot the Minutemen 14-6 during the third period, but it took over 19 minutes for Maine to net the game winner. With 26.5 seconds remaining in the stanza, Dimmen scored his fifth goal of the season off a one-timer. Chris Hahn controlled the puck at the top of the right faceoff dot. He then threw a pass to Dimmen, who ripped a one-timer past Dainton glove side.
Dainton was forced to make several big stops throughout the period, especially when Maine was awarded back-to-back power play opportunities. The Minutemen had some chances of its own, but Wilson turned away all the Minuteman bids.
