Maine Hockey Journal

It Ranks up there for Bentley

Orono, Me– Kyle Rank made 35 saves to lead the Bentley Falcons over the Maine Black Bears.

“I was seeing the puck very well,” said Kyle Rank who recorded his fourth win of the season. “I love to see shots. The more shots the better. I think the sharper I get is when I see more shots.”

Bentley Head Coach said with no hesitation saying this was the biggest win in school history.

“Coming out with a win first time here I am pretty impressed with our team tonight. It’s definitely our biggest win in our program,” said Ryan Soderquist.

“I am very impressed with them,” said Maine Head Coach Tim Whitehead. “I don’t regret giving them that opportunity because they had a good game against Northeastern and Colgate. “Taking nothing away from their effort and win but it was an embarrassing loss for us.”

Maine controlled the first seven minutes. It’s started with a powerplay at the 1:13 mark but the Falcons killed off the infraction. Gustav Nyquist made a pretty move to get to the net but the puck hit the post and bounced out.

“I hit the inside of the post and that was close,” said Maine freshman forward Gustav Nyquist.

The Black Bears would get another powerplay at the 9:48 mark when Ryan Kayfes went off for tripping. Simon Danis-Pepin had Maine’s best chance. Maine gave up a 2 on 1 at the end of the penalty but Wilson made the save. Maine would have another scoring chance with 4:40 to play.

Bentley was able to take control of the period for the final three minutes. With 2:59 remaining, Jeff Gumaer found a hole in Dave Wilson’s pads.

“Once I got it, I just figured to shovel it on net and see what happens and it went in,” said Gumaer.

Bobby Preece and Anthony Canzoneri picked up the assists. With 13 seconds left, Gumaer would pick up his second of the game and Canzoneri getting his second assist.

“Canzoneri made a play in the corner and kinda shoveled it to me. It was a 1 on 1 battle and it got caught in their defenseman’s feet. I put it low on net,” said Gumaer on his second goal.

The two goals were the difference in the game.

“It’s the game of hockey, scoring on your opportunities. I thought we were optimistic on in the first period to get two from Jeff Gumaer on a couple of rebounds. To take advantage of that carried us,” said Soderquist.

The Falcons would find themselves in the penalty box, 1:45 into the second. Once again, Rank came up big to keep Maine off the board. Bentley would have another 2 on 1 but Wilson was able to make the stop.

Rank would come up big on the penalty kill again. He made two great glove saves. One of them, he had to do a split. Anthony Canzoneri was in the box 6:05 into the second for tripping.

The Falcons would get their first powerplay opportunity with 10:18 remaining. Gustav Nyquist would have another chance, this time shorthanded. He tried to separate himself from the defenders in neutral zone but pushed the puck to far. Rank was able to clear the zone.

After a great chance for the Black Bears as they went to the top shelf, Nyquist created a turnover deep in the slot. He settled the puck down and fired it into the bread basket of Kyle Rank.

“I just fanned on it a little. I have to score goals on those chances if you want to win. Not good for me,” said Nyquist.

Chris Hahn looked to have a breakaway when he came out of the box. When he fired a shot he was tripped up. There was no call. Maine would go back on the powerplay at the 8:03 mark when Anthony Canzoneri was called for tripping.

Brian Flynn would get the Black Bears within one on the powerplay. He would find the five hole. Spencer Abbott picked up the assist. The goal came at the 9:59 mark.

Kevin Swallow would go off for interference 30 seconds later. Maine continued to put the pressure on. They had a couple of shorthanded chances. Maine would go on the powerplay. Once again, they had chances. A shot ranged off the iron.

Bentley would put the game away with 46 seconds when Erik Peterson fired one from the scorers table into the open net. Dustin Cloutier got the assist.

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