BOSTON – The final three weekends of January were going to be make-or-break games for the University of Maine as it faced the top three teams in Hockey East.

After Maine managed only one point in two games against Merrimack, there were doubts.

Not anymore.

With a 3-1 victory against Boston University on Saturday night at Agganis Arena, Maine completed back-to-back weekend sweeps of Boston College and BU.

“I think we’re a confident bunch,” junior defenseman Nick Pryor said.

Maine got goals from John Parker and Pryor, and then a Nick Mangene empty-netter, and goalie Dan Sullivan contributed 38 saves.

BU got few chances at rebounds as the Black Bears were swarming on defense.

“They blocked a lot of shots and their goalie played great,” BU Coach Jack Parker said. “We had 74 chances and you usually get more than one goal after 74 chances.”

The four-game winning steak improved Maine’s record to 14-8-3, 11-7-2 in Hockey East, putting it in third place, one point behind BU (15-8-1, 12-6-1) and Boston College.

Maine dominated the first period with puck control, shots and four power plays — but no goals until seconds remained.

Maine’s third line created havoc, sending shots and bodies to the net. The puck bounced out to the right circle and Parker one-timed it over goalie Kieran Millan’s shoulder at 19:53.

BU tied it 1-1 with a power-play goal on Garrett Noonan’s deflection at 2:41 of the second period.

Maine got the lead back when Joey Diamond won a faceoff back to Pryor, who is known for his thunderous slap shots.

“It was kind of a rolling puck, so I stepped into it and gave it everything I had,” Pryor said.

The puck hit the back of the net and came back out at 6:00. The referee signaled a goal and a video review confirmed it. Maine led 2-1.

It was the first collegiate goal for Pryor.

Sullivan then stifled several BU opportunities.

He stopped a slap shot and then an instant rebound from outside the crease.

Minutes later, he gathered in Chris Connolly’s shot from the slot in traffic.

Then on BU’s fourth power play, the Terriers pelted Sullivan with shots. He closed his pads in time to stop a redirect from the low slot, and then make a skate save after a flurry of BU chances.

“Dan Sullivan just had a tremendous weekend,” Maine Coach Tim Whitehead said. “Without a doubt, he was the difference (Saturday night).”

In the third period, BU rushed in on a two-on-one with Ben Rosen skating into the right circle. Maine defenseman Brice O’Connor tied him up and knocked the puck away.

BU pulled Millan with 1:27 left. Mangene was able to clear the puck to Stu Huggins, who was brought down by defenseman Adam Clendening as he charged toward the net. Clendening was penalized for slashing.

With Clendening in the box, BU still pulled Millan. Mangene got a steal and skated the puck to the net to clinch the win.

“Obviously, these are some big points for us,” Whitehead said, “but the mission is not complete.”

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

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: KevinThomasPPH

 

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