Maine Hockey Journal

Friars edge UMaine in OT, 1-0

Providence senior right wing Nick Saracino had been robbed in the waning moments of regulation when Maine hockey goalie Matt Morris poke checked the puck away from him after he was set up alone in front by Brandon Tanev.

But Saracino made the best of his final chance, beating Morris with a 17-foot wrister with 2:47 left in overtime to give the Friars a thrilling 1-0 Hockey East victory at Alfond Arena Friday night.

Sixth-ranked Providence is now 18-5-4 overall, 9-3-3 in Hockey East, while Maine fell to 7-16-6 and 4-9-2. The two teams play again Saturday night.

It was the eighth time Maine has been shutout this season and 15th time it has been held to one goal or less.

“Brian drove the net and that created a lane for me,” explained Saracino, who sliced from right to left across the middle of the slot before sailing his wrister over Morris’ glove-side shoulder.

Morris was superb all night as he finished with a career-high 50 saves. Nick Ellis wound up with 19 for Providence.

Providence has now extended its unbeaten streak against Maine to 11 games (10-0-1).

Maine had a couple of chances in the period as Ellis held the short side to stymie Steven Swavely’s wraparound attempt and he alertly got his blocker on a shot by Danny Perez, who chipped a Blaine Byron pass on net from the right circle.

Providence had a 20-5 edge in shots on goal in the second period after holding an 11-4 edge in the first period.

“It was a hard game,” said Maine coach Red Gendron. “There were tons of hits, blocked shots and battles. Our battle level was excellent. Matt Morris was excellent. I would have liked to have seen us generate more chances.”

“It was a great hockey game. It was played at a high pace,” said Providence coach Nate Leaman. “I was pleased with the way the guys persevered. We played a great second period but we didn’t score. The guys stayed with it, though. Morris was tremendous.”

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