Freshman Chase Pearson notched his first career hat trick Friday night as the University of Maine Mens Hockey team got by American International College 5-3 at Alfond Arena in Orono before 3,578 fans.
Johnny Mueller got the scoring started for AIC at 5:55 of the back and forth first period to make it 1-0 Yellowjackets. Pearson got his first of the night at 7:52 on the powerplay to tie the game 1-1. Blake Christensen scored 3:52 later to give AIC back the lead at 2-1, before Mitchell Fossier tallied a powerplay goal for Maine at 19:50 of the opening stanza to make it 2-2.
A flurry of Black Bear goals put the game away in the second. Maine scored three powerplay markers within a span of 5:20 to build a comfortable 5-2 lead. Pearson scored at 11:31 and 16:51 for the hat trick, sandwiched around a Patrick Holway goal at 15:01.
AIC got one back in the third at 17:33 on the powerplay from Shawn McBride to finish off the scoring.
Maine was 5-7 on the powerplay, while AIC was 1-3. Along with Pearsons big night, seniors Cam Brown and Blaine Byron each added three assists. Maine won for just the third time in their last 15 games (3-9-3).
Matt Morris picked up his first win of the season in net for the Black Bears with 26 saves. Alex Murray stopped 34 shots in the loss for AIC.
Maine is now 6-9-3 overall, while AIC slips to 3-7-6. The two teams play again Saturday evening with faceoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
AIC (3-7-6) 2 0 1- 3
UME (6-9-3) 2 3 0- 5
Shots on goal: AIC 29 Maine 39
Powerplay: AIC 1-3 Maine 5-7
Time of the game: 2 hours, 9 minutes
