Maine's Impressive Victory: A Weekend Sweep Over Lindenwood
ORONO, Maine – On Sunday afternoon, the #15/18 University of Maine men's ice hockey team delivered a commanding performance at Alfond Arena, defeating Lindenwood with a score of 7-2. This victory capped off a successful weekend for the Black Bears, showcasing their talent and teamwork on the ice.
The game began energetically, with Maine seizing the lead just under 90 seconds into play, courtesy of Justin Poirier. However, the Lions quickly responded, equalizing with a goal just 27 seconds into the second period, which added some tension to the match.
It was Owen Fowler who turned the tide for Maine with a short-handed goal at the 12:00 mark of the second period, putting the Black Bears ahead 2-1. This pivotal moment sparked an incredible offensive surge, as Maine rattled off six consecutive goals without reply, effectively sealing their dominance in the game.
By the end of the second frame, Jaden Lipinski and Thomas Pichette had helped extend Maine's lead to 4-1. The third period saw further contributions from Thomas Freel, Poirier, and Lukas Peterson, pushing the score to 7-1 with less than five minutes remaining. Although Lindenwood managed to net a late goal, the final score stood at 7-2, solidifying Maine’s strong performance.
Key Highlights:
- Maine outshot Lindenwood 40-28, demonstrating their offensive prowess.
- Both teams struggled on the power play, finishing 0-for-2.
- Goaltender Mathis Rousseau made 26 saves, improving his season record to 4-2-0.
- Maine has now won both encounters in their all-time series against Lindenwood.
- An impressive total of fourteen different players from Maine registered points during the game, with three players achieving multiple points.
- Brandon Chabrier stood out with a remarkable four assists, matching his career-best performance.
- Loic Usereau also shined, recording three assists for a personal career-high.
- Justin Poirier continued his exceptional streak, scoring two goals and adding an assist, marking his third consecutive game with such stats. Notably, he has tallied 17 goals in his first 19 games, a feat unmatched in Hockey East over the past three decades, and the first time any player has achieved this since the 2005-06 season.
Team Records:
- Maine: 11-7-1
- Lindenwood: 8-8-0
What's Next?
The Black Bears will return to action on January 2 and 3, 2026, when they face off against Denver, looking to build on this momentum and continue their winning ways.
