March 8, 2013

DURHAM, N.H. -- Kyle Beattie (Avondale, Ariz.) scored a pair of goals as the University of Maine men's ice hockey team defeated fourth-ranked New Hampshire 4-3 on Friday night at the Whittemore Center in Durham, N.H., in front of a national television audience. With the victory, Maine clinched a berth in the 2013 Hockey East quarterfinals set for next weekend. Seeding for the tournament has yet to be finalized. 

 

Maine improves to 11-17-7 on the season and 7-12-7 in Hockey East play. New Hampshire falls to 18-9-6 overall, 13-8-5 in league play. 

 

Maine grabbed a 1-0 lead at 8:45 of the first period with a short-handed goal. While killing a penalty, Devin Shore (Ajax, Ontario) gained control of the puck. He broke into the offensive zone, but had three defenders on him. He saw Steven Swavely (Reading, Pa.) skating down the slot uncontested. Shore made a perfect pass and Swavely fired the puck into the back of the net. For Swavely, it was his sixth goal of the season. 

 

Maine extended its lead to 2-0 at 9:18 of the third period. Jon Swavely (Reading, Pa.) had a shot that UNH goalie Casey DeSmith stopped, but Beattie followed up and gained control of the rebound. He backhanded the puck into the goal for his sixth tally of the season. Will Merchant (Eagan, Minn.) also assisted on the goal. 

 

UNH got on the board at 13:34 of the third period on a goal from Dalton Speelman. Eric Knodel and Trevor van Riemsdyk each assisted on the goal. 

 

Maine made it a 3-1 lead just 23 seconds later when Shore tipped a Mike Cornell (Franklin, Mass.) shot past UNH goalie DeSmith. 

 

Beattie scored his second of the night when he picked the puck off a New Hampshire pass and deposited the puck into the back of the net. For Beattie, it was his seventh goal of the season. 

 

UNH scored a pair of extra attacker goals just 50 seconds apart late in the third period. On the power play, Eric Knodel scored his ninth of the season at 18:47 of the third period. Austin Block pulled the Wildcats within one goal at 19:37 from John Henrion and Grayson Downing. 

 

New Hampshire outshot Maine 34-24 in the game. Maine was scoreless in three power play chances, while New Hampshire finished 1-for-4. 

 

Ouellette was outstanding in goal for the Black Bears, making 31 saves in goal. He had many spectacular saves throughout the game. He improves to 9-10-7 on the season. DeSmith made 20 saves and falls to 17-7-6. 

 

The two teams return to action on Saturday, March 9. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 PM from the Whittemore Center in Durham, N.H.  

 

Continue to check www.goblackbears.com for updates regarding Maine's post-season opponent and ticket information. 

 

 -U-M-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          -U-M-