The #8 Maine Black Bears had three different players score a goal on Wednesday night, and would get past Union College 3-1 at Messa Rink in Schenectady, New York in men’s non-conference hockey action.
Maine got both goals they needed in the first period, both off turnovers by Union. Felix Trudeau would score on a rebound off a Ryan Hopkins shot at the 2:45 mark, after the Garnet Chargers turned it over in their own zone. Harrison Scott with a hustle play got what turned out to be the game winner at 13:41, after Union College turned it over again this time at the Black Bears blue line. Scott raced to the loose puck and beat both defenders up the middle of the ice, breaking in on goaltender Kyle Chauvette. Chauvette got a piece of the shot, but it rolled into the net to make it 2-0. Neither team would score in the second, despite the guests carrying the play outshooting the Garnet Chargers 12-4. Union finally got on the board when Josh Prokop scored on the powerplay 6:02 into the third period. The goal seemed to energerize the hosts, but they were unable to find the net again for the equalizer. They would pull Chauvette late for an extra attacker after a Maine penalty for a 6 on 4 advantage, but the Bears wrapped up the win when Lynden Breen intercepted a pass and found Josh Nadeau alone near the Union blue line and Nadeau skated in by himself to easily tuck it into the empty net.
Afte having several multiple point scorers in Hockey East wins over UNH and UConn back at home over the weekend, there were no skaters with multiple points in the win for Maine. Hopkins, Breen, and Bradly Nadeau each picked up one assist each. Victor Ostman made 22 saves in net. The Black Bears are now 9-3-1 on the season, winning their last three games after being swept by Boston University a few weeks ago. Chauvette made 21 stops in the loss for Union College out the ECAC. Brandon Buhr and Caden Villegas both assisted on the Prokop goal, as the Garnet Chargers fall to 7-7 on the year. Maine plays their final game before the Christmas break on Saturday at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland when they take on Bentley University at 7 p.m.
Recap by Chris Lessner/Photo courtesy of Anthony DelMonaco
