Owen Fowler potted a game winner in overtime on Wednesday night, as #15 Maine picked up a much needed 5-4 victory over UMass-Lowell in Hockey East men’s action at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
The game was up and down all night long with many opportunities and scoring chances both ways. After allowing the Riverhawks to jump on the board first at 4:20 of the opening period on a goal by Dillan Bentley. The Black Bears responded to take their only lead they would have until overtime when Josh Nadeau scored at 8:36 off a faceoff win just five seconds into a powerplay, and Justin Poirier made it 2-1 Maine when he cut past a defender and to the net with a backhander that found the twine even strength at 13:10. UMass-Lowell answered back as Libor Nemec beat Mathis Rousseau to knot things up at 14:26.
The Riverhawks jumped back in front for a second time on a tally from David Adaszynski at 3:11 of the middle period, before the freshman Poirier scored his second of the night and evened it at 3-3 with a blistering laser from the low slot on the powerplay at 15:41 that UML goaltender Austin Elliott had no chance on. A mistake by Maine would cost them to begin the third with Lowell on the powerplay. A turnover in the defensive end by Frank Djurasevic allowed Bentley to find the back of the net again just 24 seconds in to put the guests on top 4-3. The final period was full of penalties, and shortly after a 5 on 3 powerplay expired for the Black Bears, Djurasevic would make up for his turnover that lead to the fourth goal by the Riverhawks. Miguel Marques spotted Djurasevic in the left circle, and Djurasevic one-timed the tape to tape pass into the back of the net for his first of the season on the 5 on 4 powerplay at 13:40.
In the 3 on 3 overtime, Maine had the better chances and Fowler had the best look with a breakaway that was stopped and he even got to his own rebound that he clanged off the post. During the same sequence, the puck finally came to Lucas Peterson in the right circle who then shoveled it towards the net. Fowler was able to get his stick on it in the low slot and backhanded it into the cage at 3:02 to end it and give the Black Bears two big Hockey East points.
Dominic Payne was the leading point getter in the loss for UMass-Lowell with three assists. Bentley had his two goals, while Elliott made 22 saves in net. The Riverhawks had their fair share of chances but went 1-5 on the powerplay, losing for the sixth time in their last seven games in falling to 6-11 and 3-6 in Hockey East. Poirier had two goals and one assist to lead Maine. Charlie Russell and Sully Scholle each had two assists, while Djurasevic had one goal and one assist. Peterson, Marques, Brandon Chabrier, and Thomas Freel all added one assist a piece. Rousseau also had 22 stops, and the Black Bears would go 3-6 on their powerplay opportunities. Maine improves to 9-7-1 and 6-5-0 in league play, jumping them into a tie for third place currently with Northeastern. The Black Bears will play their final two games before the Christmas Break when they host Lindenwood in a non-conference series at Alfond Arena on Saturday and Sunday. The puck drops at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Lions are 8-6 on the season, including 4-0 on the road. Maine won’t play anymore league games until January 9-10 (at Providence).
Photos courtesy of UMaine Athletics
