Mitchell Fossier scored what may of been the game winning goal on the powerplay with 2:41 left in regulation, but that goal was over turned. Fossier came through again though with one that counted with 52 seconds left in overtime to lift the #17 Maine Black Bears to a 1-0 win over the Connecticut Huskies in men’s Hockey East action at Alfond Arena in Orono Saturday night.
It was all about the goalies in the first 64:08 of this one. Both teams had three powerplay chances in regulation, but Jeremy Swayman for the Black Bears and Tomas Vomacka for the Huskies kept it scoreless throughout with both coming up with several Grade A saves.
Maine (16-10-4, 10-8-2 Hockey East) had the best opportunity after killing off a UConn powerplay in the third period. The Huskies Adam Karashik took a tripping penalty at 15:20, and then Wyatt Newpower was called for boarding 1:04 later to give the Black Bears 56 seconds of a 5 on 3 powerplay. In the closing seconds of the 5 on 3, Fossier slapped one into the net with 2:41 left in the game that looked like a 1-0 lead. UConn and their goalie though wanted the play reviewed as Vomacka said he was interfered with. After review the goal was overturned as Eduards Tralmaks had made contact with the goalie not giving him an opportunity to make a save. Maine could not score on the rest of the powerplay and the game went to overtime.
Fossier did it again in the extra session. Tim Doherty won the race for a loose puck and shoveled a pass from just behind the Connecticut net at the red line from left to right, to a wide open Fossier who one timed the pass into the net from the right circle with this one counting and sending the Black Bear fans into hysterics.
Swayman had 41 saves in the Maine win. JD Greenway along with Doherty got assists on the game winner by Fossier. Fossier leads the team with 37 points on the season (8 goals, 29 assists). Vomacka made 25 saves in the loss for Connecticut. The Huskies fall to 12-13-4, 9-8-2 in league play. Maine will host Vermont for two more critical Hockey East games next Friday and Saturday.
Maine goalie Jeremy Swayman (#1 in white) makes a save earlier this season at the Alfond Arena in Orono. Swayman made 41 saves for a shutout Saturday night as the Black Bears won 1-0 in overtime over Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Anthony DelMonaco
