Hockey Edged by Maine 2-1 Friday
Boxscore
ORONO, ME – Two Black Bears scored their first collegiate
goals as Maine edged Merrimack 2-1 Friday night at Alfond
Arena.
The Warriors wasted no time against Black Bear backup goalie Dave
Wilson as J.C. Robitaille (Des Ruisseaux, Quebec)
tallied his second goal of the year off quick touch passes from
Jesse Todd (Calgary, Alberta) and Chris
Barton (Calgary, Alberta) just 46 seconds into the game to
give the Warriors the early lead.
Second after the Warriors killed a Black Bear man-advantage, the
hosts responded at 5:48 of the first as Will O'Neill tallied
his first collegiate goal, firing a wrist shot from just inside the
blue line past a screened Andrew Braithwaite (Kingston,
Ontario) to even the score at one. Maine took the lead at
9:43 as Brett Carriere beat both Warrior defensemen to a rebound
and buried it past Braithwaite for his first collegiate tally.
Merrimack controlled the puck for most of the second, outshooting
the Black Bears 8-2 but could not get one past Wilson. They had
three power plays, including one for five minutes following a
boarding major and game misconduct to Jeff Dimmen, but could not
even the score as Wilson stopped Elliott Sheen (Lethbridge,
Alberta) and Rob Ricci (Brampton,
Ontario) during the five minute power play.
With Braithwaite pulled for the extra attacker in the final
minute, Barton had an excellent point-blank chance but was robbed
by the left pad of Wilson.
Making his second straight start in goal, Braithwaite was solid,
stopping 21 shots. Wilson stopped 19 shots, earning his second win
of the season. The Black Bears have won six straight games after
starting the season 1-3.
The Warriors (3-6-2, 1-5-1 HEA) conclude the two-game road trip
against the Black Bears Saturday at 7 p.m.
