SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — The University of Maine men’s hockey team lost in their first NCAA tournament game in 12 seasons Thursday night to Cornell at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Not only did the team and Maine fans have to wait more than a decade before returning to the NCAA Tournament, they had to wait just a little longer to take on Cornell.
Denver outlasted UMass-Amherst 2-1 in double overtime in the first game Thursday and Maine took the ice an hour and a half after the scheduled start.
Just six minutes into the game Harrison Scott picked a corner from the slot to give the Black Bears an early 1-0 advantage.
Just a few minutes later, Cornell was assessed a five-minute major penalty giving Maine a power play. Maine was able to generate a few qualities scoring chances but couldn’t capitalize.
Maine head coach Ben Barr noted after the game that Cornell seemed to score on every big turnover the Black Bears committed, and Maine couldn’t capitalize on opportunities in the offensive zone.
While it was a disappointing result, Barr also complemented the hard work his players put into this season and was proud of the steps the program has taken.
Cornell notched the equalizing goal after No. 22 was able to settle the puck in the slot and beat Maine goalie Victor Ostman in the first period.
Despite outshooting Cornell 14 to five, the first period ended in a 1-1 draw.
After a couple decent scoring chances for the Black Bears in the second period, Cornell scored to make it 2-1 halfway through the frame.
Cornell took the 2-1 lead into the third period and doubled it halfway through the final frame after a missed opportunity by Maine.
Despite pulling the goalie to utilize an extra skater, Maine was unable to score again and lost 3-1.
Cornell will play Denver in the regional final Saturday afternoon in Springfield. The winner advances to the Frozen Four.
Co-Captain David Breazeale echoed his coach and said it wasn’t the result they were hoping for, but he’s proud of the growth the team has taken in the three years under Barr.
During Barr’s first season in Orono, Maine only won 7 games.