The University of Maine mens ice hockey team held a 3-2 third period lead Saturday night, but once again had to settle for a tie, this time 3-3 against the New Hampshire Wildcats in a Hockey East game before 5,165 fans at Alfond Arena in Orono.
Ara Nazarian got UNH on the board first at 3:53 to make it 1-0. Maine responded late in the period when Ryan Smith scored to make it 1-1 with 49 seconds left.
Richard Boyd regained the Wildcat lead in the second when his point shot eluded Maine goalie Jeremy Swayman at 12:30 on the powerplay to make it 2-1. The Bears responded once again when Canon Pieper made it 2-2 with 1:16 left in the middle period, also on the man advantage.
Maine took their first lead of the night when Eduards Tralmaks found an open Chase Pearson in front of the net at 8:47 of the third to make it 3-2. That lead was short lived though, as Charlie Kelleher tied it 1:15 later for UNH.
Neither team had any great scoring chances in the overtime, as both clubs pick up two points in the standings on the weekend. Swayman finished with 27 saves for Maine, while UNH netminder Danny Tirone made 33 stops, including 14 in the third period. Maine was 1-4 on the powerplay, while UNH was 1-3. The Bears see their record go to 12-9-4, 6-6-3 in Hockey East. UNH is now 9-11-4, 4-7-3.
Maine will head back on the road next weekend for games at UMass Friday and Saturday. Puck drop for both nights is set for 7 p.m.
