Maine Hockey Journal

Southern Maine edged by UMass-Boston, 3-2

Senior Matt Lemire scored his sixth goal of the season at 3:50 of the third period to snap a 2-2 tie and the 10th-ranked University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons went on to edge the University of Southern Maine Huskies 3-2 in New England Hockey Conference action Saturday at the USM Ice Arena.

The win was the sixth straight for the undefeated Beacons (6-0-0; 4-0-0 NEHC), and gave the visitors a weekend sweep of their trip to the state of Maine. UMB defeated the University of New England on Friday 8-3. The Huskies (3-4-0; 2-3-0 NEHC) dropped their second straight game to a Top 10 team after losing Friday night to Babson College.

Lemire picked up a loose puck in the center zone and streak down the right side before curling towards the net. His quick wrist shot found the net inside the far post past USM sophomore Kyle Shapiro.

The Beacons played strong team defense over the final 16 minutes to preserve the victory. Senior goalie Zach Andrews, making his first start of the season, finished the game with 18 saves. Andrews came up big in the final minute when he made the save on junior Cole Klippenstein’s bid for an equalizing goal as the Huskies had Shapiro out for the extra attacker.

Southern Maine grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the first period as sophomore Alex Pantalone whistled a shot from the left-wing circle into the far side of the net for his third goal of the campaign.

The lead lasted just eight seconds as Lemire set up rookie Drew Gannon for the tying goal.

UMB took the lead at 8:14 of the period as senior Derek Colucci beat Shapiro from in close. Sophomore Connor Callow (Braintree, Mass.) and rookie Garrison Sanipass earned the assists.

Sophomore Patrick Magliano tied the game with the only goal in the second period. Magliano took a pass from senior Zach Dymock and beat Andrews through a screen from 35 feet out. The goal was the second of the season for Magliano.

UMass Boston had a 24-20 edge in shots on goal during the game. Shapiro stopped 21 shots before being lifted with 1:18 to play for the extra skater.

Southern Maine continues its November homestand on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.) hosting Salem State University for a non-conference game. UMass Boston will play in Bowdoin/Colby Tournament on November 28-29.

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