University of Maine
Connecticut
Men's Ice Hockey Skates to 2-2 Tie at UConn
2/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
HARTFORD, Connecticut – The University of Maine men's ice hockey team skated to a 2-2 draw with the University of Connecticut on Sunday afternoon at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. It is the second time in three days that the two teams have played to overtime.
Maine moves to 10-16-2 on the season and 5-8-1 in Hockey East play. UConn moves to 8-12-6 overall, 5-6-3 in conference play.
Maine struck first with a goal at 19:12 of the first period. On a scramble in front of the net, Conor Riley (Massena, New York) had a shot that was saved, but rebound came right back to Cam Brown (Natick, Massachusetts) who fired it into the back of the goal. For Brown, it was his seventh goal of the season.
Maine extended its lead to 2-0 at 8:21 of the second period. Blaine Byron (Manotick, Ontario) skated in on a breakaway, but UConn goalie Rob Nichols saved Byron's shot with his right pad. Byron was then able to pass the puck to Jake Rutt (Scarborough, Maine) who was alone in front of the goal. He fired the puck into the back of the net to give Maine the 2-0 lead. For Rutt, it was his third goal of the season.
UConn got on the board at 12:16 of the second period when Ryan Tyson fired home a puck that was loose just outside the crease. Joona Kunnas and Joey Ferris each assisted on the goal. UConn tied the game just 34 seconds later. Trevor Gerling picked up the puck that was loose to the left of Maine goalie Sean Romeo (Cary, North Carolina). He fired a high shot the found the back of the net.
The two teams finished with 32 shots apiece. Maine finished 0-for-2 on the power play, while UConn was 0-for-4.
Maine goalie Romeo made 30 saves and moves to 6-10-1 on the season. Nichols made 30 saves and moves to 7-12-6.
The Black Bears return to action on Friday, Feb. 6 when they host Notre Dame for the first time as a conference foe. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Alfond Arena.
