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The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team came home with runner-up spot at the Nye Frontier Classic in Anchorage, Ala. UMaine posted a 1-1 tournament record. They were shut out 3-0 on Friday night by the Colorado College Tigers and knocked off the host Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves 4-2 Saturday.
On Friday, the Black Bears came flying out of the gates, peppering Colorado College goaltender Curtis McElhinney with plenty of shots early. He stood tall in the net and the 11th-ranked Tigers were able to take some momentum back into the first intermission, as they nearly evened the shot count at 9-8.
The Tigers first got on the board in the second period as their two most prolific scorers hooked up. Junior forward Peter Sejna beat UMaine netminder Jimmy Howard on an assist from senior Noah Clarke at 7:09. The Tigers took control of the game after that, as Sejna added a power play goal at 14:30 of the second period from Clarke and Andrew Canzanello.
The Black Bears had their chances throughout the game, but they hit the post three times over the course of the game, including a span of 1:20 in the third period where Colin Shields rang a slapshot off the crossbar and Martin Kariya clanged the right post with a shot from in front.
Tiger defenseman Tom Preissing put the final nail in the coffin just moments later as he scored on a screen shot from the point at 11:22. It was Pressing’s fourth goal on the season.
McElhinney stopped 21 shots for the shutout win, while freshman Howard made 29 saves in his first ever college loss. The win improved the Tigers to 2-1-0 on the year.
The Black Bears rebounded well on Saturday night as they made sure they wouldn’t be shutout. UMaine scored three times in the first period to take quick control of the game.
Shields got the first goal on the power play off of a rebound on a Tom Reimann shot. Todd Jackson also got an assist on the goal at 7:15.
Sophomore defenseman Troy Barnes scored on a one-timer from the high slot at 10:10 thanks to a set up from behind the net by Anchorage, Ala. native Chris Heisten.
Senior assistant captain Robert Liscak got his first goal of the season as he split two Alaska-Anchorage defenseman on a breakaway, then made a move to beat goalie Kevin Reiter to the glove side on a backhand at 14:43. Francis Nault had an assist.
The Seawolves didn’t go away easily, though. Freshman Spencer Carbery scored his first-ever college goal at 15:43 of the first to put Alaska-Anchorage on the board.
After a scoreless second period, Alaska-Anchorage pulled to within one on a goal by freshman Brent McMann 6:16 into the third period. He was assisted by Justin Johnson and Carbery.
The Seawolves nearly tied it later in the third on a Matt Shasby rip from the blue line on a power play, but sophomore goalie Frank Doyle, playing in his first ever college game, made a huge blocker save to keep the lead.
Heisten then sent his many family and friends from Anchorage in attendance home happy as he scored the goal that finished things off with just 1:25 left in the game.
Doyle made 22 saves to win his college debut.
Forward Shields and defenseman Nault were named to the All-Tournament team. Colorado College won the tournament title after their 5-0 win over Iona on Saturday. Colorado College became the first team in the tournament’s history not to surrender a goal.
UMaine’s record of 2-1-0 means they will likely fall from their No. 5 national ranking when both the U.S. College Hockey Online and the USA Today Coaches polls come out today.
The Black Bears will host 2-2-0 Western Michigan in a non-conference series this Saturday and Sunday at Alfond Arena.
Bangor Daily News