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The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team opened up their season this weekend with a trip to Colorado to face off against the University of Denver.
The Black Bears came into the series ranked No. 12 in the USCHO.com / CSTV Men’s Division I Top 20 Poll. With the Denver Pioneers not far behind them at No. 13, it was like having an exam on the first day of classes.
The Black Bears came out a little slow in the Friday night matchup, taking two early penalties and giving Denver a five-on-three advantage. The defense would hold strong and, with goalie Ben Bishop at their back, they were able to kill the penalties to preserve the scoreless tie. Bishop saw 16 shots in the first period and he stopped them all, keeping the game level heading into the second period.
The second period would prove to be the killer for the University of Maine. The momentum immediately went to Denver’s side when UMaine junior forward Chris Hahn took a tripping penalty just 37 seconds into the period. The Black Bears fought their way through it and successfully killed their fourth penalty of the night, but the celebration of this feat was short-lived. At 4:41 of the second period, UMaine first-year forward Lem Randall took a boarding penalty and the Pioneers refused to let this opportunity slip away. Denver’s first goal of the season came at 5:46 of the second period off the tape of sophomore forward Tyler Ruegsegger. Junior defenseman Chris Butler was credited with his first assist of the season.
With the clock winding down in the second period, Maine got perhaps their best chance of the game when Rob Bellamy was denied by Denver goaltender Peter Mannino. With just 38 seconds remaining in the period, Maine freshman forward and future Edmonton Oiler, Robby Dee gave the Pioneers their sixth power play opportunity of the night. Denver would capitalize on its second power play in a row, taking the 2-0 lead on their 24th shot of the period. The goal came with just 18 seconds remaining in the period off the stick of freshman forward Kyle Ostrow, with Ruegsegger and Butler both picking up their second point of the night after being credited with assists.
The third period would prove to be the same story for the boys in blue as the University of Maine took three more penalties, putting their game total at nine. The Pioneers added eight more shots in the period, putting their game total at 48 and giving Bishop his career high in saves at 46.
UMaine’s woes continued Saturday night as they played Denver in the second game of the weekend series. The Pioneers went up 1-0 just six seconds into the game when sophomore forward Brock Trotter broke in all by himself off the faceoff and beat Bishop. The goal was reviewed, but eventually stood. Shortly after this defensive lapse, UMaine got right back in it with their first goal of the season. Senior defenseman Bret Tyler was credited with a goal, with assists coming from defenseman Matt Duffy and forward Billy Ryan. Denver regained the lead just under 10 minutes later at 13:34 of the first period. Pioneers first-year forward Jesse Martin recorded his first career goal with Ruegsegger getting yet another point, giving Denver the 2-1 lead. Again, Denver out shot UMaine, this time 15-9, in the period.
The Pioneers continued to control play in the second period. With just under 14 minutes remaining in the second period, Denver got a very promising breakaway try from forward Tom May, but Bishop was determined to keep his team in the game and made his most outstanding save of the weekend, keeping the Pioneers’ lead at just one. The Denver offense overcame this momentum changing save with another goal just under five minutes later. Forward Anthony Maiani was able to beat Bishop upstairs on the unassisted try at the 18:37 mark of the second period. Maine finally got the pressure they were looking for in the third period, out shooting their opponent 15-5, but Mannino had an answer for all of them preserving the 3-1 win for the University of Denver.
The Black Bears (0-2) will make the trip back east to open up their 2007-08 home campaign against the Mercyhurst College Lakers (0-2) at the Alfond Arena next Friday.
