NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The University of Maine men's hockey team topped Merrimack, 2-1, in its Hockey East opener on Friday night at Lawler Rink.
 
After a scoreless first period, Lynden Breen scored one minute into the second for the 1-0 lead. Josh Nadeau picked off a pass and fed Breen up the middle for a short breakaway.
 
Maine took a 2-0 lead in the third period after Breen pressured Merrimack into a turnover and then Josh Nadeau set up Bradly Nadeau for a one-timer from the left circle.
 
Merrimack pulled a goal back – converting during a 6-on-4 advantage – but Victor Ostman shut the door for the final 51 seconds to pick up the Hockey East victory.

#20/20 Maine 2, #RV/20 Merrimack 1
Nov. 3, 2023 | North Andover, Mass.
Lawler Rink

NOTABLES

• Merrimack had the 26-22 lead in shots on goal.
• The Black Bears were 0-for-1 on the power play while Merrimack was 1-for-2.
• Victor Ostman finished with 25 saves in moving to 4-1-0 on the year … Hugo Ollas stopped 20 shots for the Warriors.
• Josh Nadeau finished with two assists for his second multi-assist game of the season … he now has a team-high four assists.
• Lynden Breen scored his second goal of the season while Bradly Nadeau potted his team-leading third of the year.
• The Black Bears are now 78-25-11 all-time against Merrimack … Maine is 4-5-0 under head coach Ben Barr.
• This was the first win for Maine in the Hockey East opener since the 2017-18 season.
• At 4-1-0, the Black Bears are now off to their best start since the 2006-07 season.

RECORDS

• Maine: 4-1-0, 1-0-0 Hockey East
• Merrimack: 3-3-0, 1-1-0 Hockey East

UP NEXT

• Maine and Merrimack will close out the weekend series tomorrow night with another 7 p.m. puck drop at Lawler Rink.