The #9 Providence College Friars took a 3-0 first period lead, and then hung on to defeat the Maine Black Bears 3-2 Saturday night in game two of the Hockey East quarterfinals at Schneider Arena in Providence, Rhode Island. With the win, PC sweeps the best of three and advances to the Hockey East semifinals at TD Garden next weekend.
Scott Conway scored at 3:14 of the first making it 1-0 Friars. Providence went on to score two more goals in the opening stanza, and both came on the powerplay by Brandon Duhaime and Josh Wilkins to make it 3-0.
Maine answered back early in the second period. Eduards Tralmaks scored on the powerplay at 1:08, and then 45 seconds later Nolan Vesey made it a one goal game at 3-2.
Providence (22-10-4) controlled the neutral zone and the shots on goal, making it very difficult for Maine to tie the game. The Bears pulled goalie Jeremy Swayman late to try to equalize, but were unable to do so.
Maine finishes the season at 18-16-4, the most wins in the Red Gendron era. Maine however has now lost 14 straight games to Providence, and are 0-17-1 in last 18 versus the Friars. Swayman finished with 38 saves in the loss for the Bears. The freshman was certainly one of the bright spots for Maine this season. Maine was 1-1 on the powerplay on the night, and Brady Keeper had two assists.
Providence was 2-2 with the extra man, and goalie Hayden Hawkey made 14 saves in the win as the Friars outshot the Bears 41-16. Duhaime added an assist to go along with the second goal for PC on the night. The semifinal matchups are set for next Friday in Boston. Providence will face Northeastern, while BU will face BC. The two winners play for the Hockey East title next Saturday night.
