The #15 Maine men’s hockey team ended 2025 on a high note on Sunday evening, rolling past Lindenwood University 7-2 at Alfond Arena in Orono to finish off a two game non-conference sweep. The Black Bears will carry a three game win streak into their first contests of 2026.
The freshman duo of Miguel Marques and Justin Poirier connected for the only goal of the first period. Marques from behind the net got it in front to Poirier in the low slot, and Poirier banged it through the legs of Lions goaltender Klayton Knapp at 1:22. Lindenwood had the answer just 23 seconds into the second, as Michael Bevilacqua had the first goal for his team on the weekend to tie it up. The Black Bears took over from there. Owen Fowler shorthanded put the hosts up for good at 12:00, before even strength markers by Jaden Lipinski at 16:45 and Thomas Pichette at 19:41 provided some breathing room at 4-1. The tally by Lipinski turned out to be the game winner. Thomas Freel, Poirier, and Lukas Peterson all scored for Maine in the third period to put it away. They’ve now put in 17 goals as a team during the three game win streak.
Jacob Fletcher had the other goal in the loss for Lindenwood, as they fall to 8-8 on the season. Knapp made 33 saves, and the Lions went 0-2 on the powerplay. Brandon Chabrier had a breakout performance as far as points and he registered four assists for Maine. Poirier (two goals, one assist) and Loic Usereau (three assists) had three points each. Marques, Frank Djurasevic, Will Gerrior, Josh Nadeau, Luke Coughlin, and Brandon Holt contributed one assist a piece. Mathis Rousseau made 26 stops as he improved to 4-2 in net in his freshman season. The Black Bears also went 0-2 on the powerplay. Poirier now has two goals and one assist in each of the last three wins (nine points), and became just the third Hockey East rookie since 2005-06 to score at least 16 goals in his first 19 career games. Maine heads to Christmas Break at 11-7-1, returning to action on January 2nd when they open a two game series at Denver.
Photos courtesy of Anthony DelMonaco (UMaine Athletics)
