Matt Miller scored a game winning shorthanded goal in the third period on Saturday night, as the #17 Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks swept a two game non-conference series from the Maine Black Bears with a 5-3 win at Baxter Arena in Omaha, Nebraska in men’s college hockey action.
Maine fell behind early when Chayse Primeau scored on the powerplay for Nebraska-Omaha at 2:11 of the first period. The Black Bears bounced back and evened the score when Robert Morris transfer Grant Hebert scored his first of the season at 9:05. The Mavericks took the lead at intermission however when Kevin Conley scored 1:45 after the Hebert marker. Adam Dawe evened things once again with a powerplay goal 3:49 into the second, and the Bears took their first lead of the night after some good pressure on another powerplay. Brad Morrissey scored his first of the year 10 seconds after the extra man advantage expired at 9:57. The hosts made it 3-3 after 40 minutes scoring on a delayed penalty call at 13:55, as Cameron Berg tallied his second of the weekend. Maine had 1:56 of powerplay time to start the third, but Miller turned the tables scoring the game winner shorthanded at 1:52 to give UNO the 4-3 lead. Kirby Proctor added another for the Mavericks at 13:00. The Black Bears would pull their goalie Victor Ostman with 2:33 left, but were unable to crack the scoreboard again and start their new season at 0-2.
Ostman made 24 saves in the loss for Maine. David Breazeale had two assists, while Jakub Sirota, Tristan Poissant, Nolan Renwick, and Lynden Breen had one assist each. Isaiah Saville had 24 saves in net for 3-1 Nebraska-Omaha. The Black Bears went 1-7 on the powerplay, while the Mavericks were 2-5. Maine will play at home with fans for the first time since March 6, 2020 when they welcome in Sacred Heart to Alfond Aren on Friday and Saturday 10/22 and 10/23.
