The Maine Men's Hockey Program looked to sweep at home and pick up two more crucial points in the Hockey East Playoff chase.
 
The first period saw both the Black Bears and the Minutemen battle for ice and control of the game. Senior Blaine Byron was able to strike first, burying his own rebound 15:14 into the first frame. Linemates Cam Brown and Brendan Robbins both picked up assists on the goal. Maine headed into 1^st intermission with a 1-0 lead behind Rob McGovern's 15 saves.
 
The second period saw Maine strike again as sophomore Rob Michel rifled a shot from the top of the right circle, off Reynard's glove and into the back of the net. Cam Brown would pick up his second assist of the night, and Blaine Byron picked up the secondary on the play. At the 10:49 mark of the period, Jake Horton from UMass was the beneficiary of a tough bounce for the Black Bears. Leaving the box from his penalty, the puck found its way to Horton's stick and beat McGovern high to the short side, cutting the Black Bear lead to one. McGovern made 34 saves through 2 periods while UMass's Nic Reynard combined for 16.
 
The 3^rd period was dead -locked, and Rob McGovern remained a wall for the Black Bears. He added 10 saves in the third period, blanking UMass in the frame, and secured the one goal victory for the Black Bears.
 
Maine now looks to Hockey East opponent Providence College as the Black Bears hit the road for another Hockey East series. Maine returns to their home away from home on February 10 at Cross Insurance Arena, as they take on Notre Dame before finishing the series back at Alfond Arena the following Day. Tickets are still available at goblackbears.com and by calling 207-581-BEAR.
 
-UMaine-