The University of Maine hockey team extended their undefeated start as they outscored the Merrimack College Warriors 11-0 on Nov. 1 and 2 to advance to 6-0-1 overall and 3-0-1 in Hockey East.
Entering the doubleheader ranked sixth in the nation, expectations for the Black Bears were certainly sky-high, as the Merrimack Warriors limped into Alfond Arena scoring goals at a rate of just 1.4 per game. Maine did not disappoint, locking up game one by a score of 5-0, then topping that with a 6-0 victory as the fans shook Alfond Arena all weekend long.
Forwards Josh Nadeau and Lynden Breen, each key to the team’s offensive output last year, scored their first goals of the season on Friday, while Harrison Scott put together three goals and four assists on the weekend. Thomas Freel and Charlie Russell each had five-point weekends to punctuate an immense offensive surge for the series.
Brandon Holt, after being named Hockey East’s defender of the month for October contributed three assists, continuing his hot start. Goaltender Albin Boija stopped 30 Merrimack shots across both games, giving way to let first-year Patriks Berzins make his collegiate debut near the end of the second contest.
Maine’s power play offense was breathtakingly efficient over the weekend, scoring five goals in nine opportunities with the man advantage. Freel continued to augment his numbers on special teams, as all six of his goals this season have come on the power play.
After his dynamite weekend, Scott leads the Hockey East Association with 15 points, while Maine’s Russell and Holt occupy the third spot with 11 points. Fellow Black Bear Taylor Makar has ten. Freel is tied for the conference’s high mark in goals with six.
Early in the season, Maine leads the conference with 11 points in four games, sitting atop fellow national contender Providence College with ten conference points. It’s worth noting however that Boston College and Boston University have played a combined single game in-conference, meaning the conference season is still getting underway.
As a team, the Black Bears lead the Hockey East Association in goals per game, with a mark of 4.43. They have the lowest rate of goals against at 1.29.
With this blistering start, it’s hard not to feel optimistic about Maine men’s hockey moving forward. The Black Bears will now gear up for a two game set in Chestnut Hill next weekend as they will face the second ranked Boston College Eagles on Nov. 8 and 10.
