The University of Maine women’s ice hockey team defeated UNH in overtime on Friday night in Hockey East action at the Whittemore Center in Durham, before rallying late in regulation on Saturday afternoon to force a tie. The Wildcats however picked up the extra conference point with a shootout win.
On Friday night- Kendall Sundby scored nine seconds into overtime, as Maine took the series opener 4-3. Both teams had a one goal lead in the back and forth regulation, with Danielle Brunette scoring two goals for the first time in her career and Stephanie Jacob also finding the back of the net for the Black Bears. UNH forced overtime with an extra attacker goal with just 14.9 seconds left by Nina Rossi. In the extra session, Sundby made a move around the Wildcats defense for a break-in where she deeked the game winner into the back of the net. Brunette had three points as she also added an assist for Maine, while Kiia Lahtinen made 27 saves in net.
On Saturday afternoon- Maine rallied with two goals in the final 3:17 of the third period to force overtime ending officially as a 2-2 tie. UNH took the shootout 2-1 for the extra Hockey East point. Mikayla Boarder had the first Black Bears goal at 16:43 of the third, before Jacob tied it on a major powerplay 50 seconds later. The guests had a great chance to win it with that major powerplay continuing through the end of regulation and into the extra session, but the Wildcats did a good job to kill it off. Julia Cabral had the deciding shootout goal for UNH (9-8-3, 5-5-2 in HE). Lahtinen made 21 saves, as the Black Bears record is now 6-11-2 and 3-5-2 in conference play. Maine is now on Christmas Break and will return to action on Tuesday, December 30th when they take on Brown in a non-conference game at 5 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
Photo courtesy of UMaine Athletics during a game earlier this season
