DURHAM, N.H. — The shortest road trip of the year resulted in the same dead end for the Maine men’s hockey team.

New Hampshire scored in each period, and the Black Bears couldn’t muster enough offense in a 3-2 loss Friday at the Whittemore Center. Maine has yet to win a road game this season.

The Wildcats (13-12-1, 5-5 Hockey East) opened scoring just 47 seconds into the game when Nick Sorkin faked a shot and drew Black Bear goaltender Martin Ouellette well out of the crease. Sorkin easily slid the puck behind him.

But Maine (11-8-3, 5-3-2) answered 1:59 later when Will Merchant snapped a wrist shot past Casey DeSmith’s shoulder. It was Merchant’s first goal of the season.

New Hampshire captain Eric Knodel restored the hosts’ lead with a slapshot from the blue line that got past Ouellette at 7:23 of the second period.

The Wildcats scored 2:22 into the third period when Tyler Kelleher fed Jay Camper in the crease for a 3-1 lead.

Maine pulled Ouellette with 1:30 left and Mark Anthoine converted a shot in a scrum out front with 54.7 seconds left. But the Black Bears couldn’t get the equalizer.

It was the 116th meeting in the rivalry and Maine now holds a 59-50-6 edge. The teams meet again in Orono at 7 p.m. Saturday.


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