ORONO, Maine – Behind a hat trick from Josh Nadeau, the University of Maine men's ice hockey team earned a 5-3 win over Merrimack on Friday night at a sold-out Alfond Arena.
 
After a scoreless opening 15 minutes, Nadeau scored twice in less than four minutes to give Maine a 2-0 edge. Merrimack would respond with a goal in the final minute of the period for a one-goal game at the break. Sully Scholle and Merrimack's Caelan Fitzpatrick traded goals in the middle frame for a 3-2 game after two.
 
Just over a minute into the third period, the Warriors made it a 3-3 game. Oskar Komarov, though, responded three minutes later to restore Maine's lead. Nadeau finished the hat trick with an empty-net goal in the final minute of play.

RV Maine 5, Merrimack 3
Feb. 20, 2026 | Alfond Arena
 
NOTABLES

• Maine had the 35-22 lead in shots on goal.
• Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play.
• Mathis Rousseau made 19 saves in moving to 5-5-0 on the season.
• Maine is now 79-27-10 in the all-time series with Merrimack.
• With the win, Maine has now earned four consecutive 15-win seasons for the first time since the 2003-04 to 2006-07 seasons.
• Josh Nadeau recorded four points on three goals and one assist … it marks his fourth career four-point game and third career hat trick (and the second this season for both).
• Sully Scholle recorded a career-high three points on one goal and two assists.

 RECORDS

• Maine: 15-12-3, 9-10-1 Hockey East
• Merrimack: 15-14-1, 8-11-1 Hockey East

 
UP NEXT

• Maine and Merrimack will close out the weekend series with a 7 p.m. puck drop tomorrow, Feb. 21 at Alfond Arena.