ORONO — When we last turned our attention to Fenway Park, it was to witness a September collapse by the residing baseball team.

Now the University of Maine hockey team heads to Fenway, hoping to continue its rejuvenation in January.

The Black Bears, winners of six of their last seven games following Wednesday night’s 3-1 win over Vermont at Alfond Arena, next play Saturday against New Hampshire in Fenway.

There was concern Maine might be caught looking ahead to its special outdoor game, but the Black Bears played a solid game Wednesday, outshooting Vermont, 43-26.

Maine completed a three-game series sweep of the Catamounts and improved to 9-7-2, 6-6-1 in Hockey East. Vermont, which beat 11th-ranked Ferris State in its last game, dropped to 4-14-1, 1-10-1.

Goalie Dan Sullivan made 25 saves. Maine got power-play goals from Adam Shemansky and Joey Diamond. Brian Flynn added an empty-netter with 15 seconds left.

Vermont’s Rob Madore made 40 saves in a solid effort.

“It was clear early on that both goalies were very focused and goals were going to be hard to come by,” Maine Coach Tim Whitehead said. “We had to grind it out.”

Special teams played a big part with Maine going 2 for 8 on the power play, and Vermont 1 for 7.

Vermont Coach Kevin Sneddon was thrilled with his penalty-kill unit, saying Maine “had the best power play I’ve seen. They threw a lot of different looks at us.”

Vermont led 1-0 on a power-play goal by Sebastian Stalberg at 14:36 of the first period.

Maine tied it 2 1/2 minutes later on its second power play. Spencer Abbott slapped a shot in from the point and it was blocked right back to him. Abbott sent the puck in again, and Shemansky deflected it in at 17:02.

“The goalie was out on the crease and (Shemansky) was on the back door,” Abbott said.

In the second period, special teams took over as eight penalties were called.

Vermont killed off a 69-second five-on-three advantage. Maine snuffed Vermont’s four-on-three power play for 43 seconds.

With so many special teams, the Catamounts got confused once when it was even strength and six skaters converged into the Maine zone. The penalty gave Maine its sixth power play.

Flynn skated through a crowd at the blue line, got the puck to Mark Anthoine, who quickly centered to Diamond. He buried it at 13:27 for his team-leading 12th goal and a 2-1 Maine lead.

“A great pass,” Diamond said. “Just a tap-in goal from there.”

On the Black Bears’ seventh power play, Vermont H.T. Lenz made a steal and took off on a short-handed effort. Sullivan held his ground, making his second breakaway save.

The third period featured only one penalty on each team (Maine’s Kyle Beattie took a smart interference call, preventing a breakaway).

Despite being outshot, Vermont generated chances with bodies in front of the net. But Sullivan came through.

“Sully had a great game for us again,” Abbott said. “He’s been rolling lately and we’ve been feeding off that.”

The Catamounts are also headed to Fenway. They will play the 4 p.m. game Saturday against Massachusetts, preceding the Maine-UNH game at 7:30 p.m.

“Now that this game is over, everyone is thinking about Fenway,” Abbott said. “Can’t wait to get down there.”

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: KevinThomasPPH