Patrick Shea scored two goals, and Ryan Smith added three assists Sunday evening as the Maine Black Bears defeated the American International College Yellowjackets 5-1 in non-conference men’s hockey at the Alfond Arena in Orono.
Despite being outshot by AIC (8-9-1) 17-11 in the first period, Maine would score the first three goals helped by two from Shea. Veli-Matti Tiuraniemi opened the scoring just 59 seconds in on assists from Mitchell Fossier and Eduards Tralmaks to make it 1-0. Shea extended the lead later when the Yellowjackets were on the powerplay, scoring shorthanded at 12:48. Shea made it 3-0 with an even strength marker at 15:54.
Joel Kocur got the lone AIC goal and only goal of the second period at 11:33 to cut the deficit to a pair. Maine (9-8-3) put the finishing touches on the four goal victory when AJ Drobot scored at 7:35 of the third, and Fossier got his fourth goal of the season at 13:03 unassisted.
Jeremy Swayman made 41 saves in the Black Bear win. AIC went 0-6 on the powerplay, while Maine was 0-2. Other multiple point scorers for the hosts were Drobot and Fossier who both had a goal and an assist. Zackarias Skog made eight saves in net for AIC, playing just the first period allowing three goals. Stefano Durante made 36 saves in relief in the final 40 minutes. Maine is at home again next Friday and Saturday nights when they host Nebraska-Omaha out of the NCHC in more non-conference action.
