BOSTON – When his University of Maine hockey team played New Hampshire Saturday night on a rink in Fenway Park, forward Brian Flynn said, “it obviously was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
But Flynn was clear about his priority.
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“Mostly, it felt great to get the win,” Flynn said.
Flynn deflected in a goal 1:29 in overtime to lead the Black Bears past UNH 5-4 on a clear, crazy night at Fenway.
Maine (10-7-2, 7-6-1) has won seven of eight.
“It was electric in there,” Maine Coach Tim Whitehead said. “We were pleased to get the last bounce.”
UNH (6-11-2, 4-8-1) has lost five straight.
“It was a heck of a game, a great atmosphere,” UNH Coach Dick Umile said. “We had chances, but this is how it’s been going for us most of the season.”
Maine used its two offensive strengths — power-play goals (three) and five-on-five goals from its top line (two).
Sophomore Mark Anthoine of Lewiston scored two power-play goals and Joey Diamond added two scores, one on a five-on-three power play.
In overtime, Spencer Abbott sent a pass from behind the net to Diamond in the high slot. He fired it toward the net, and Flynn got a stick on it.
“I just crashed the net,” Flynn said. “Fortunately, it hit my stick and popped over (UNH goalie Casey DeSmith’s) head.”
Diamond said Abbott “made a great play. I just put it on net and Flynn did the rest.”
UNH had the first lead, 65 seconds into the game. Grayson Downing fired a shot from the right circle. Maine goalie Dan Sullivan kicked it out into the slot, where John Henrion skated in alone and fired past Sullivan.
The Black Bears responded on their first power play. Kyle Beattie drove the puck down the left side and centered it into a crowd. There, Anthoine poked it in at 4:10.
The second period featured 67 crazy seconds, when three goals were scored, all by special teams.
Two Wildcats skated to the box a minute apart, on boarding and interference calls.
With the five-on-three advantage, Maine lost control and UNH cleared. The Black Bears had trouble getting the puck out of their zone.
Grayson Goumas stole the puck at the blue line and skated in on Sullivan, beating him blocker side at 11:27.
But the Wildcats have had trouble holding leads — and Maine still had its five-on-three advantage.
UNH’s lead lasted 7 seconds.
Abbot sent in a puck from the blue line and Diamond tipped it in at 11:34, tying the game 2-2.
The Black Bears were not done, and still had a man advantage.
Anthoine got free in the left circle and fired. DeSmith got a piece of the puck, but it still got by him at 12:34. Maine had its first lead, 3-2.
Thirteen seconds into the third period, Maine made it 4-2. Abbott made a perfect behind-the-back pass to Diamond in front of the crease. He tapped it in, 13 seconds into the period.
But then Maine had trouble keeping the lead.
Goumas scored at 3:00 on a backhand pass from Stevie Moses, and Henrion tied it on a rebound that trickled past Sullivan at 4:43.
NOTES: Maine and UNH will play in the season’s last game, March 3 at Alfond Arena.
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:
kthomas@pressherald.com
Twitter: KevinThomasPPH
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