ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine men's ice hockey team was defeated by the UMass Minutemen, 4-3, on Saturday evening in Alfond Arena.
 
First Goal (1-0 UMass): The Minutemen struck first again on night number two. After a scrum behind the Maine net, Reed Lebster flipped the puck to Cal Kiefiuk. The latter found the back of the net and gave UMass an early 1-0 lead.
 
Second Goal (2-0 UMass): Kiefiuk scored his second goal of the first period with another assist from Lebster. After the Black Bears lost the puck in their end, the duo combined for another tally. At the 13:46 mark of the first period, Maine trailed 2-0.
 
Third Goal (3-0 UMass): Scott Morrow padded the Minutemen lead on their second power play of the evening. Lebster, assisting on this third goal of the evening, looked as though he was going to take a shot. Instead, the forward left it for his defenseman who found the back of the net. At the 4:35 mark of the second period, the Black Bears were looking at a three goal mountain.
 
Fourth Goal (3-1 UMass): While on the power play, Nolan Renwick scored the first goal of the night for the Black Bears. Jakub Sirota cleared space with a move at the blue line. The captain found Ben Poisson who quickly directed the puck to Renwick. The sophomore forward one-timed the puck into the net. Maine's deficit was two halfway through the second period.
 
Fifth Goal (3-2 UMass): Ben Poisson, on senior night, scored the second goal of the evening for the Black Bears. David Breazeale fired a shot that was saved. The rebound was left for Poisson who buried his opportunity. With just under 16 minutes left, Maine trailed by one.
 
Sixth Goal (4-2 UMass): Lucas Mercuri's goal at the 8:53 mark, once again, gave the Minutemen a two goal lead. Aaron Bohlinger found the streaking Mercuri, who found the back of the net. The advantage would soon shrink.
 
Seventh Goal (4-3 UMass): Jakub Sirota made it a one goal game again with a goal at the halfway mark of the third period. Lynden Breen, with a touch pass, set up the play for the captain. Sirota beat the UMass goaltender to the far post with a beautiful move. Maine trailed by only a goal with 10 minutes left.
 
It was the final goal of the night as Maine fell, 4-3.
 
Notes: Victor Ostman saved 10 shots in net for the Black Bears, while Cole Brady stopped 35 shots between the pipes for UMass.
 
Maine went 1 for 3 on the power play, as the Minutemen were 1-3 on their player advantages.
 
Next: The Black Bears will host the Opening Round of the Hockey East tournament on Wednesday, March 8. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
 
-UMaine-