The University of Maine women’s ice hockey team defeated the Providence College Friars 2-0 Sunday in an official Hockey East conference game. With the win, the Black Bears gain valuable points in conference to help hold their current ranking in the standings.
Both teams battled to a scoreless first period, each team getting their chances early but both defenses and goaltenders held their ground. The Black Bears got nine shots on the Friars goaltender Allie Morse in the first. Oppositely, the Friars took seven shots on goal, but Maine goaltender Meghann Treacy kept the puck out of the net. The Friars defenseman Lexi Romanchuk did hit the post on the power play, but the rebound was cleared before any other damage was done. Providence did have a power play opportunity at 17:56 in the first, when Maine forward Brooke Stacey went to the box for tripping, but the Friars were unable to convert.
The scoring began in the second period, when Hailey Browne broke the deadlock at 8:34 of the second. After Maine broke the puck out of their defensive zone, Emilie Brigham passed the puck across the slot to Browne who poked the the puck into the open net. Brooklyn Langlois was also credited with an assist on the play. For Browne, it was her fifth goal of the season.
The third period was very much like the first, with scoring chances few and far between. Despite late offensive pressure by Providence, Maine was able to get the empty net goal with just 24 seconds remaining in the game. Kelsey MacSorley was able to steal the puck in the neutral zone, and had a clear shot on the open net to give the Black Bears a 2-0 lead.
Maine led by a narrow margin in shots on goal, outshooting Providence by one, 30-29. Special teams play proved to be a factor as well, Maine going 0 for 1, and the Friars went 0 or 3 with the man advantage. Maine’s penalty kill was key in the beginning of the third period when Victoria Hummel got called for tripping seven minutes into the period.
Goaltending also shined bright for Maine as Treacy made 30 saves en route to her seventh victory of the season. The shutout was also her second shutout of the season. Her counterpart, Morse, made 27 saves in the loss.
After the weekend, Maine got a much needed conference victory, improving their record to 8-11-3 (7-4-1 WHEA). Maine is currently four points ahead of Northeastern for the third spot in the Hockey East standings with 15 points. Providence falls to 5-15-4 (4-7-1 WHEA), and sit in fifth with nine points.
Maine will take to the ice again on Jan. 24 and 25 against Northeastern with a top three rank in the Hockey East standings on the line. Northeastern currently sits in the fourth position with 11 points. The last time these two teams met was on Nov. 1 at Matthews Arena in Boston, where the Black Bears won a close game 1-0. Puck drops at 4 p.m. for both games.