The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team returned home to Alfond Arena this weekend for a two-game Hockey East series against the University of Vermont Catamounts. After a dominant 7–0 win on Friday, the Black Bears could not carry the momentum into night two, falling 2–1 to split the weekend.
Friday night’s matchup started with steady pressure from the Black Bears, who struck first just six minutes into the opening period. Third-year forward Sully Scholle opened the scoring, assisted by first-year Miguel Marques and first-year Jeremy Langlois, giving Maine the early 1–0 advantage. Vermont had one power-play opportunity in the first, but Maine’s penalty kill held strong, sending the Black Bears into intermission with the lead.
Maine exploded offensively in the second period, scoring four goals and taking full control of the game. Just 43 seconds into the frame, Langlois found the back of the net off assists from Marques and third-year defenseman Frank Djurasevic, doubling the lead. Midway through the period on the power play, third-year Josh Nadeau added another, assisted by third-year Max Scott and captain fourth-year Brandon Holt.
Only 25 seconds later, Marques scored a goal of his own, finishing a passing play from Scholle and first-year Loïc Usereau. Maine wasn’t done yet, with under five minutes left, fourth-year Owen Fowler scored to extend the lead to 5–0, assisted by Marques and third-year Charlie Russell.
The Black Bears added two more goals in the third. At the 11-minute mark, first-year Justin Poirier scored, assisted by Nadeau and Holt. Nadeau then closed the scoring with his second of the night at 16:43, set up by first-year Jaden Lipinski and Langlois. Maine finished the game 2-for-5 on the power play and outshot Vermont while shutting the Catamounts out defensively. Goaltender Albin Boija recorded the shutout, contributing to one of Maine’s most complete performances of the season.
Saturday night’s matchup saw a much tighter battle, with Vermont shifting momentum and slowing Maine’s offensive rhythm. The Catamounts opened the scoring around the nine minute mark of the first period, when second-year Max Strand scored off assists from first-year Cedrick Guindon and second-year Colin Kessler. Maine had a power play later in the period, but Vermont blocked shooting lanes and kept the Black Bears off the board.
Maine tied the game late in the second period, when first-year forward Will Gerrior scored at 14:44, assisted by first-year Lukas Peterson. Both teams pushed physically in the second, combining for four penalties, but neither side found the go-ahead goal heading into the third.
Just 89 seconds into the final period, Vermont regained the lead on a goal from third-year Daniel Sambuco, assisted by fourth-year Dawson Good and first-year Jonah Aegerter. Maine generated pressure late and had one final power-play opportunity, but Vermont’s defensive structure and shot blocking held firm to secure the 2–1 win.
With the weekend split, Maine moves to 7-4-1 on the season. The Black Bears will look to regain their momentum in an away game series with Boston College, before returning to the Alfond to take on rival the University of New Hampshire.
