NO. ANDOVER, Mass. — The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team skated to a 2-2 draw with seventh-ranked Merrimack on Saturday evening at Lawler Rink in No. Andover, Mass. Maine got goals from Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) in the game. Maine moves to 10-8-3 on the season and 7-7-2 in Hockey East play. Merrimack sees its record move to 12-4-5 overall, 8-3-3 in conference play.
Maine struck first with a power play goal at 10:59 of the first period. Mark Anthoine (Lewiston, Maine) had a shot from the slot that Merrimack goalie Joe Cannata stopped, but the rebound went right to Brian Flynn on the post who deposited the puck into the back of the net. Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario), who entered the game leading in the nation in points per game, also assisted on the play. For Flynn, it was his 12th goal of the season.
Merrimack tied the game at 1-1 at 12:19 of the second period when Elliott Sheen stole the puck from a Maine defender and then rifled a shot past Maine goalie Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.). For Sheen, it was his second goal of the season.
Maine regained the lead at 16:03 of the second period when Joey Diamond ( tipped a Nick Pryor (Woodbury, Minn.) blast from just inside the blueline past Merrimack goalie Joe Cannata. For Diamond, it was his team-leading 15th goal of the season. Rookie blueliner Jake Rutt (Scarborough, Maine) picked up his first collegiate point with an assist on the play.
Merrimack tied the game at 2-2 when Jesse Todd scored off of a rebound of a Jordan Heywood shot at 8:09 of the third period. Karl Stollery also assisted on the gal for the Warriors.
The game remained tied after regulation and headed to overtime where it would finish 2-2.
Maine goalie Dan Sullivan made 32 saves in goal. He moves to 9-5-3 on the season. Joe Cannata stopped 39 shots for Merrimack. 11-4-5.
Maine outshot Merrimack 41-34 in the game. The Black Bears were 1-for-4 on the power play, while Merrimack finished the game 1-for-2.
The Black Bears return to action on Friday, Jan. 20 when they host Boston College at 7 PM at Alfond Arena.
-U-M-
http://www.goblackbears.com/sports/m-hockey/
