ORONO- University of Massachusetts-Amherst senior transfer forward Taylor Makar scored two goals including the game winner Saturday night, and Nolan Renwick also had a pair of tallies as the #12 University of Maine Black Bears blanked the American International College Yellowjackets 6-0 in a non-conference men’s hockey season opener at Alfond Arena.
Makar, who scored four goals in 36 games for the Minutemen last season, got the only one that was needed on his first shift as a Black Bear. Renwick made a pass from his own blue line to Makar near center ice in stride. Makar made a move around the AIC defenseman at the attacking blue line, skating in on a partial breakaway into the bottom of the right faceoff circle and fired a shot inside the far post glove side on Yellowjackets goaltender Chase Clark at 1:34 of the first period.
Makar added to the Maine lead in the second period registering his second goal of the game at 4:24 on another assist by Renwick, and also a helper by Colgate transfer Ross Mitton. Harrison Scott got on the scoring sheet at 13:50. After a shot from the right point by Brandon Chabrier was blocked, Scott got to the loose puck in the low slot and fired it home. The Black Bears held the visitors to just eight shots on goal through the first 40 minutes. Renwick joined the fun with his two goals in the third period, both off one-timers. Renwick converted an AIC turnover in their own zone off a feed from Frank Djurasevic, and a secondary helper from Mitton at 41 seconds. Mitton then picked up his third assist of the night, finding Renwick for the one-timer at the top of the left circle, as Renwick slammed it into the cage as he was falling to the ice at 3:54. Thomas Freel ended the scoring on the powerplay at 9:24, tipping one into the net in front off a Brandon Holt shot from the left point through traffic. Renwick has already matched his season total from last year for goals, as he had only two in 25 games in 2023-24.
Renwick finished with two goals and two assists in the Maine win, while Makar had two goals and one assist. Mitton also was a three point scorer with three assists on the night. Holt and Djurasevic each had two assists as well. Sophomore goaltender Albin Boija made 17 saves for his third career shutout. The Black Bears went 1-5 on the powerplay. Clark made eight saves on 11 shots in the loss in net for American International College out of the Atlantic Hockey Association, before being pulled in the second period. Adam Manji finished up in relief making 18 stops. The Yellowjackets were 0-2 on their extra man opportunities. Maine is set to host Army in an exhibition contest next Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. The Bears return to regular season play on homecoming weekend (10/18-10/19) when they welcome in nationally ranked Quinnipiac for a two game series in Orono.
All photos courtesy of Anthony DelMonaco from UMaine Athletics
