ORONO — The crowd of 5,043 in a sold-out Alfond Arena was as raucous because it has been all season. It was the final males’s hockey recreation of the season, performed at a rink on the sting of the University of Maine campus, nevertheless it was a celebration. Fans went residence blissful understanding the Black Bears’ season wasn’t over but. The message on the scoreboard was clear: “See you in Boston.”
With a 5-0 victory over rival New Hampshire on Saturday, Maine superior to the Hockey East semifinals at TD Garden for the primary time in additional than a dozen years. The Black Bears (23-10-2) are assured an invite to the NCAA Tournament after a 12-year drought.
The University of Maine will play Boston University on Friday at 7:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to Saturday’s championship recreation towards both Boston University or the University of Massachusetts.
“We’re in an excellent place on this constructing. I do not suppose anyone had a foul recreation tonight. That’s what you want within the playoffs,” Maine coach Ben Barr mentioned. “We must create one other particular second.”
The offense was led by the primary brother duo, main scorers Bradley and Josh Nadeau. Both scored two objectives and added two assists. Bradley Nadeau at present has 19 objectives and 26 assists, whereas Josh has 18 objectives and 27 assists.
Nolan Renwick added three assists.
“Special gamers. They are difference-makers. If you give them an opportunity, they’ll make you pay. Elite gamers do this… Their finest gamers performed with us tonight. ,” UNH coach Mike Souza mentioned.
When these groups met twice a month in the past in Durham, New Hampshire, UNH (20-15-1) received by a landslide, scoring 11 factors in two video games. But after taking eight pictures within the first interval Saturday, the Wildcats took simply 10 pictures the remainder of the sport. The key was to execute a breakout and be part of the assault rapidly, mentioned defenseman and Maine captain David Breazeale.
“I feel getting out of the zone rapidly was a giant key for us,” Breazeale mentioned.
Maine pulled away with three factors within the second interval. The first second got here after simply 52 seconds. Bradley Nadeau managed the puck within the impartial zone, slid down the left aspect, and made an ideal cross to his brother, who was skating alone towards the online. Josh’s shot went below the glove of goalie Jakob Hellsten for a 1-0 lead.
“(Bradley) performed nice and beat two guys, however that left me alone. I simply needed to end it,” Josh Nadeau mentioned.
The purpose ended UNH’s hockey shutout report. Hellsten (20 saves) entered the sport having received three straight shutout video games towards Lowell, Mass., together with a 1-0 win within the first spherical of the playoffs.
“We mentioned as soon as we received the primary one, the floodgates would open,” Breazeale mentioned. “The child hasn’t scored in three video games. He’s been taking part in actually good hockey. It was large for us to get that first level.”
At 8:23, Ben Poisson scored a power-play purpose off a rebound of Josh Nadeau’s shot to make it 2-0. At 15:07, Josh Nadeau tried to maintain the puck within the Wildcats’ zone, sliding down the center and sending a cross to Bradley, who fired a shot previous Hellsten from the proper circle.
At 8:48 of the third, Bradley Nadeau’s power-play purpose made it 4-0 after his shot from the circle was deflected by a UNH defender. The purpose got here with seconds left on the facility play. During the delay for official overview, the Black Bears created a play the place Breazeale gave Nadeau a one-time feed. It labored precisely as deliberate.
“It’s by no means a foul thought to arrange a one-timer on Brad. It was enjoyable. It’s a part of hockey, it is about having enjoyable,” Breazeale mentioned.
Josh Nadeau scored on a one-timer off a cross from his brother at 17:17.
Both groups performed a scoreless first interval, with neither staff making any pictures. The Wildcats’ finest likelihood got here with simply over 5 1/2 minutes left within the interval when Ryan Conmie hit a shot that hit the crossbar.
Alvin Voyja made 18 saves for Maine, which earned its second shutout of the season.
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