The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team split its weekend Homecoming series against Colgate at Alfond Arena, falling 3-2 on Friday before bouncing back with a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday.
On Friday, Oct. 24, the Black Bears opened the weekend with strong energy, but came up just short, despite a competitive performance.
Colgate struck first, three minutes into the game, with a power-play goal from second-year forward Jack Brandt, after Maine’s third-year forward Max Scott was called for tripping. The Black Bears responded midway through the frame when second-year forward Oskar Komarov tied the score, and moments later, first-year forward Justin Poirier converted on the man advantage to give Maine a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.
The first period was physical, featuring four Maine penalties: Scott for tripping, third-year forward Sully Scholle for handling the puck and second-year forward Simon Motew for cross-checking, along with one from Colgate’s first-year forward Tyson Doucette for tripping. Both penalty-kill units were tested early, setting the tone for a tight matchup.
Early in the second period, Colgate’s fourth-year forward Robby Newton capitalized to tie the game at 2-2. Maine’s second-year forward Thomas Pichette took an interference call shortly after, but the Black Bears held firm on the penalty kill. A too-many-men call against Colgate briefly gave Maine momentum, though it was cut short by a high-sticking penalty to Poirier. With just under five minutes remaining in the period, second-year forward Max Nagel found the net for Colgate with what would become the game-winner.
Maine outshot Colgate in the third and pushed hard to equalize, but the Raiders’ defense held strong to close out the 3-2 victory.
The following night, on Saturday, Oct. 25, Maine battled back from an early two-goal deficit to defeat Colgate 3-2 in overtime. The win secured a weekend split and marked the first goal as a Black Bear for Scott, a transfer from Brown University.
Colgate again jumped out to a quick lead in the opening frame, as Brandt scored twice, first on the power play at 10:15 and again five minutes later at even strength, giving the Raiders a 2–0 advantage after one.
Maine answered early in the second. Just over a minute into the period, fourth-year forward Thomas Freel scored on the power play off assists from fourth-year defence Brandon Holt and Poirier, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Black Bears carried that momentum into the third. Poirier, continuing his strong start to the season, tied the game 2-2 just two minutes in with help from first-year defense Lukas Peterson.
Goaltender third-year Albin Boija stood tall through a tense final frame, making key saves to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, Scott made his mark, burying the overtime winner for his first goal as a Black Bear. The transfer forward’s game-winner capped off Maine’s comeback and sent the Alfond crowd into celebration.
The game featured its fair share of penalties, including multiple matching minors in the second period as both teams battled physically. Third-year forward Anthony Calafiore, Holt, first-year defense Jeremy Langlois, first-year forward Jaden Lipinski and first-year forward Nick Peluso each served time, while Colgate saw calls on Brandt, Doucette, first-year defense Luke Malboeuf, fourth-year forward Daniel Panetta and third-year forward Ryan Sullivan.
Splitting the weekend, ending with the win, Maine improves to 2-2-1 on the season and will look to build on the momentum as they continue their homestand next weekend against Boston University.
