Andrew Centrella tied the game with 5.6 seconds left in regulation, and Logan Sawyer got the winner in overtime as ninth-ranked Providence completed a season sweep against UMaine with a 3-2 men’s hockey win Saturday night in Orono.
It was the seventh straight win for Providence (16-7-2, 11-3-1 Hockey East), which has sole possession of first place in Hockey East. The Providence beat the Black Bears (14-10-2, 8-8) twice at home three weeks ago.
First-period goals by Justin Poirier and Loic Usereau gave Maine a 2-1 lead, but the Black Bears couldn’t add to their margin. That turned out to be critical when Providence pulled its goalie for an extra attacker and swarmed the Black Bears in the closing minutes. Centrella eventually scored from the left circle with a shot that appeared to deflect off Maine defenseman Brandon Holt.
The Black Bears remained in eighth place in the tight Hockey East standings.
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