Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

UMaine forces decisive Game 3

The Black Bears beat UMass-Lowell 2-0 behind goalie Dave Wilson to tie their Hockey East quarterfinal series at 1-1.

By Rachel Lenzi rlenzi@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

ORONO — One more game awaits.

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UMass-Lowell defenseman Maury Edwards, left, eyes the puck in front of goalie Carter Hutton as Maine’s Brian Flynn looks for a scoring chance. The teams play a decisive Game 3 tonight at Orono.

The Associated Press photo by Michael C. York

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Tanner House of the University of Maine celebrates his second-period goal with teammates Robbie Dee (7), Gustav Nyquist (89) and Will O’Neill (27) during a 2-0 win over UMass-Lowell.

The Associated Press photo by Michael C. York

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It was the least the University of Maine men's hockey team could ask for -- and the most the Black Bears could play for.

Behind Dave Wilson's 23 saves, the Black Bears defeated UMass-Lowell 2-0 Saturday night and forced a decisive third game in their Hockey East quarterfinal series.

The finale of the best-of-three series will start at 7 tonight at Alfond Arena.

"We've been waiting for this all season, especially with the home playoffs," said Wilson, a senior who earned his second career shutout. "For it to come down to one game at home, you couldn't ask for anything better."

The winner of tonight's game will advance to the Hockey East semifinals Friday at TD Garden in Boston.

"It's exciting because there's a lot at stake," UMass-Lowell Coach Blaise MacDonald said. "We know at the end of (tonight's) game, someone's going to the Garden."

Wilson recorded Maine's first shutout since Feb. 7, 2009, when Scott Darling recorded a 1-0 win at New Hampshire. Wilson also recorded Maine's first shutout at Alfond Arena in more than two years -- Ben Bishop shut out Vermont in a 3-0 win March 1, 2008.

"They really cut down on the shots," said Wilson, who earned his second start of the weekend after Darling was suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. "They had some good chances against me but at the same time, they only had 23 shots. Our (defense) played really well and our forwards came down in the zone and cleared out rebounds. Overall, I think it was just finishing off things."

The Black Bears (17-16-3) also got a boost from Spencer Abbott's goal 23 seconds into the game, which Wilson believed set the tone against the River Hawks (19-15-4).

Abbott called Wilson's play in goal "unbelievable."

"He was the biggest factor," Abbott said. "For him not to play for a while and to come out and play like he did it really jumps the team."

It's the second time in as many years Maine has forced a decisive Game 3 in the conference quarterfinals. Last year the Black Bears went the distance against Boston University, the eventual national champion.

"The first period, we came out and we were hungry," Abbott said. "It's do or die. What else can you do?"

After Abbott's early goal, Maine had a second score waved off less than a minute into the game when officials ruled after video review Joey Diamond's wraparound shot failed to cross the goal line.

UMass-Lowell goalie Carter Hutton (28 saves) stopped Abbott and Brian Flynn on a two-on-one rush with 5:30 left in the period.

Tanner House gave Maine a 2-0 lead in the second when he streaked in on goal and took a pass from behind the net from Gustav Nyquist and beat Hutton.

Despite outshooting UMass-Lowell 12-5 in the third, the Black Bears were unable to convert a pair of five-on-three power-play opportunities.

Now, the Black Bears and the River Hawks get to play another game -- and a chance to extend the season.

"It feels good," Abbott said. "(Saturday) night we knew it was do or die and we had to come out real hard like we did."

Staff Writer Rachel Lenzi can be contacted at 791-6415 or at:

rlenzi@pressherald.com