Cory Babichuk scored 2:48 into overtime on Friday night, lifting the Vermont Catamounts to a 1-0 victory over the Maine Black Bears in men’s Hockey East play at Alfond Arena in Orono.
Vermont goalie Gabe Carriere and Maine netminder Victor Ostman stood tall throughout regulation. The Black Bears had 16 seconds of carry over powerplay time to start the third period, and then two more extra man chances in the final 20 minutes of regulation but couldn’t crack the scoreboard. Maine is now 3-44 (6.8%) on the powerplay on the season. The Catamounts also went 0 for their first 4 on the night, but a penalty for interference on David Breazeale 2:09 into the overtime would lead to the game winner. It took just 39 seconds to end it as Babichuk scored his first goal of the season to give the guests their second straight win.
Ostman finished with 23 saves in the loss, while Carriere also had 23 in the win for Vermont. Lynden Breen and Ben Poisson led Maine with three shots on net each. The Black Bears fall to 1-11-2, 1-8-1 in Hockey East. Robbie Stucker and Simon Jellus assisted on the winner by Babichuk, as the Catamounts improve to 3-9-1, 2-4-1 in HE. The teams will finish off the two game series on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
