The Maine Mens ice hockey team had a lead in the third period Friday night at Providence, but a late penalty that the Friars cashed into a powerplay goal, propelled #15 Providence to the 3-2 hard fought Hockey East win at Schneider Arena.
The Friars took the lead first on a powerplay goal by Nick Foley with just 2:58 left in the second period to make it 1-0.
Maine would answer early in the third period. Patrick Holway scored on the powerplay, 2:18 into the period to tie it 1-1. Patrick Shea gave Maine a brief 2-1 lead with a four on four goal 59 seconds later.
5:19 later, Josh Wilkins tipped in a Brian Pinho shot in front of Maine goalie Rob McGovern to make it 2-2.
A late penalty on Maines Cedric Lacroix for a delay of game, for closing his hand on the puck off a faceoff, set the stage for the game winner. Jake Walman scored on a point shot with just 1:53 left, past a screened McGovern to give the Friars the win.
McGovern was solid once again making 33 saves on 36 shots. Hayden Hawkey earned the win for Providence with 29 stops on 31 Maine shots. Both teams went 1-3 on the powerplay. Maine falls to 10-14-3 overall, and 4-10-1 in league play. Providence improves to 15-8-4, 7-6-2. Maine also falls to 0-9-3 away from Alfond Arena.
The two teams will finish their two games series tomorrow night in Providence with faceoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
