Maine's Tanner House named LOWE'S Finalist

Ten NCAA® hockey student-athletes who excel both on and off the ice were selected as finalists today for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in hockey. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. The list of finalists follows this release. Maine’s Tanner House (Cochrane, Alberta) was named one of the 10 finalists. He is the lone Hockey East student-athlete to have been named a finalist.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 20 candidates announced in October. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to determine the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote via the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award website or on the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Facebook fan page through March 20. Fan votes will be combined with media and coaches votes to determine the winner.

House is captain of the Black Bears. He has nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points on the season.

Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the winner April 7 at the NCAA Frozen Four® in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

House and the Black Bears return to action on Friday, Feb. 4 when they travel to New Hampshire. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM and the game will be televised on NESN.

Maine takes care of a chippy U-18 Team at the CX4

GUSTAV NYQUIST HAD 3 ASSISTS IN PORTLAND SUNDAY

The University of Maine men's ice hockey team skated to a 5-1 win over the U.S. Under-18 Team on Sunday afternoon in a game played at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) had three assists in the game, while Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Josh Van Dyk (Woodstock, Ontario) each chipped in with a goal and an assist.

Team USA took a 1-0 lead when Reid Boucher tipped a Robbie Russo shot past Maine goalie Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec) at 14:00 of the first period. Jake McCabe also assisted on the goal. Maine tied the game up just a minute later when Mike Cornell (Franklin, Mass.) fired a shot from the left face-off circle past US Under-18 Team goalie Matt McNeely. Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) each assisted on the goal.

Maine took the lead with just 11 seconds remaining in the first period when Flynn stuffed the puck past McNeely just inside the right post. Adam Shemansky (Robbinsville, N.J.) and Van Dyk assisted on the play.

Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) extended Maine's lead to 3-1 just 50 seconds into the third period on a goal set up by Will O'Neill (Salem, Mass.) and Nyquist.

VanDyk got on the scoreboard when he received a pass from Nyquist and fired a shot past McNeely from the slot at 7:33 of the third period. Robby Dee (Plymouth, Minn.) also picked up an assist on the play.

Maine capped the scoring at 18:08 when Jon Swavely (Reading, Pa.) scored from the right face-off circle. Mike Banwell (Scarborough, Ontario) and Brice O'Connor (Londonderry, N.H.) each assisted on the tally by Swavely.

Maine finished the game with a 39-23 advantage in shots on goal. The black Bears were 3-for-9 on the power play, while the U.S. Under-18 Team finished the game 1-for-5.

Maine goalie Ouellette made 22 saves in goal. Matt McNeely made 34 saves for the U.S. Under-18 Team.

The Black Bears return to action on Saturday, Jan. 8 when they travel to Merrimack for a Hockey East Conference game with the Warriors. Puck drops is scheduled for 4 PM.

Maine shuts out Providence 5 - 0 Saturday.

 Martin Ouellette (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec) made a career high 32 saves as he shut out the Providence Friars on Saturday night en route to his first career win. The Black Bears broke the game open with three goals in the first 10 minute of the third period. Maine moves to 7-3-4 on the season and 5-2-2 in Hockey East play, while Providence falls to 6-6-4 overall and 3-4-4 in conference play.

Maine took a 1-0 lead at 12:16 of the opening period. Mike Cornell (Franklin, Mass.) sent the puck to Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) in the right corner. Nyquist then passed to Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) who was on the left post of the goal. Friar goalie Alex Beaudry went to his right to play the puck as Diamond skated through the goal line. Without an angle at the net, Diamond shot the puck towards the goal and it went in off a Providence defender, giving Maine a 1-0 lead. For Diamond, it was his eighth goal of the season and second of the weekend.

Maine extended its lead to 2-0 at 17:02 of the second period. Josh Van Dyk (Woodstock, Ontario) carried the puck out of the defensive zone and got it to Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) in the neutral zone. Seeing Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario), but knowing he did not have a lane to pass, Flynn flicked the puck over the Providence defenders to Abbott. Abbott carried the puck in on Beaudry and beat him stick side for his 11th goal of the season.

The Black Bears made it 3-0 just 38 seconds into the third period when Nyquist scored his fifth goal of the season. Tanner House (Cochrane, Alberta) passed to Nyquist who was rushing the net. Nyquist was able to redirect the puck into the goal. Diamond also picked up an assist on the goal.

Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) gave Maine a 4-0 lead when he fired a shot past Beaudry from the left face-off circle at 5:55 of the third period. The play was set up by Abbott, who got the puck to Flynn. For Flynn, it was his fifth goal of the season.

Kyle Beattie (Avondale, Ariz.) extended Maine's lead to 5-0 at 8:12 of the third when he received a pass from Matt Mangene (Manorville, N.Y.) and rifled the puck past Beaudry from the slot. For Beattie, it was his third goal of the season.

Ouellette was outstanding, stopping all 32 shots that he faced. He moves to 1-0-1 on the season. Beaudry made 23 saves for the Friars in 49:55. He falls to 5-6-4. Justin Gates made five saves in 10:05.

Maine returns to action on Friday, Dec. 10 when it hosts arch-rival New Hampshire at 7:30 PM at Alfond Arena in Orono, Maine. Tickets remain for the game and can be purchased by calling the Maine ticket office at 207-581-BEAR or 1-800-756-TEAM.

- University of Maine -

UMaine ties Providence

SPENCER ABBOTT CONTINUES HOT STREAK (PHOTO JEFF SCHOOLS)

Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) had two goals and an assist as the University of Maine men’s ice hockey team skated to a 3-3 tie with Providence on Friday night at Schneider Arena. The Black Bears scored what would have been
the game-winner as the final buzzer sounded, but it was ruled that time had just expired. Maine moves to 6-3-4 on the season and 4-2-2 in Hockey East play. Providence sees its record move to 6-5-4 on the campaign and 3-3-4 in conference play.

Maine opened the scoring just 45 seconds into the game. Brice O’Connor (Londonderry, N.H.) carried the puck into the offensive zone. He got the puck to Robby Dee (Plymouth, Minn.), who was able to find Spencer Abbott stationed at the left post.
Abbott beat Friar goalie Alex Beaudry for his ninth goal of the season. It was the first career point for O’Connor, who was playing against his older brother, Ian, for the first time.

Providence knotted the score at 1-1 at 1:03. Kyle MacKinnon was able to beat Maine goalie Shawn Sirman (Blezard Valley, Ontario) on a rebound. Ian O’Connor and Kevin Hart each assisted on the goal which tied the game.

Maine took the lead back at 12:28 when Mark Nemec (Rouses Point, N.Y.) made an outstanding pass to Abbott, who had beaten the Providence defenders. Abbott then beat Beaudry for his second goal of the game and 10th of the season. Ryan Hegarty
(Arlington, Mass.) also assisted on the goal for the Black Bears.

Providence tied the game back up at 2-2 at 15:49 with a goal from Alex Velischek on a shot from just outside the left face-off circle. Andy Balysky and Tim Schaller each also assisted on the goal for the Friars.

Maine grabbed the lead back again 1:13 into the second period when Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) stuffed the puck past Beaudry. Abbott got the puck to Dee behind the net, who was able to find Diamond, who picked up his seventh goal of the season.

Providence tied the game at with a short-handed goal at 15:10 of the third period by Chris Rooney. He was able to get a step on the Maine defense and break in alone on Sirman.

Maine goalie Shawn Sirman made 35 saves in goal for the Black Bears. He moves to 2-0-2 on the season. Beaudry stopped 36 shots for the Friars. He moves to 5-5-4.

Maine outshot Providence 39-38 in the game, including a 7-2 edge in overtime.

The two teams return to action on Saturday, Dec. 4 when they face each other once again at Schneider Arena in Providence. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM.

--UM COMMUNICATIONS--

Brodeur takes PTP Player of the Week yet again

ETIENNE BRODEUR WITH ANOTHER GREAT WEEK (PHOTO JEFF SCHOOLS)

Pine Tree Pucks Player of the Week - Etienne Brodeur Lewiston MAINEiacs - Etienne continues to blaze, scoring 3 more goals last week to still lead the CHL in scoring with 21 goals. he leads all QMJHL scorers by five goals and leads the entire CHL by 1. Brodeur has been a big factor in the MAINEiacs continued roll through the QMJHL.

Brodeur had 2 goals and 1 assist in the MAINEiacs 5-0 win over Baie-Comeau on Saturday and had goal in Sunday's matchup with a +/- of plus 2. Brodeur finished the week with a +/- rating of +5.

2nd Star - Joey Diamond Maine Black Bears - Joey Diamond took home Hockey East POTW honor on Monday with his weekend against Northeastern. Diamond finished with 2 goals and an assist in the weekend series.

3rd Star - Spencer Abbott Maine Black Bears - Spencer Abbott continues his great season, putting numbers up in every series. This weekend against the Northeastern Huskies, Abbott finished 2 goals and an assist.

Joey Diamond wins Hockey East Player of the Week

JOEY DIAMOND (PHOTO JEFF SCHOOLS)

University of Maine sophomore forward Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) was named the Athletic Republic Hockey East Player of the Week on Monday, Nov. 15. Diamond led the Black Bears to a weekend sweep of Hockey East foe Northeastern.

Maine recorded a pair of 4-2 wins.

He becomes the second Black Bear to be named Hockey East Player of the Week this year, as Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) earned the honor on Oct. 25, after Maine swept a weekend series against then second-ranked North Dakota.

On Friday, Diamond assisted on Maine’s first goal of the game. He then scored the game-winning goal for the Black Bears at 9:51 of the third period. On Saturday, Diamond scored a goal early in the third period which knotted the score up a 2-2.

Diamond was named the First Star of the game on each night.

Diamond is fourth on the team in scoring with six goals and five assists for 11 points. He has two power play tallies and a game-winner.

On Monday, Maine moved up to third in the nation in each of the two national polls released each week. Maine trails Minnesota-Duluth, who is the top-ranked team in the nation, and Boston University who is second in both polls.

The Black Bears return to action on Friday, Nov. 19 when they travel to Boston College for a two-game Hockey East series with the Eagles. Boston College is ranked ninth in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll and 10th in the USCHO.com Poll. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM on Friday and 1 PM on Sunday afternoon.

- UNIVERISTY OF MAINE - 

Maine finishes off the weekend sweep of the Fighting Sioux with 4 - 2 win

GUSTAV NYQUIST SNAPS OFF MAINE'S 1ST GOAL (PHOTO JEFF SCHOOLS)

The Maine Black Bears answered the bell for the 2nd straight night at the Alfond, beating the #2 ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux 4 - 2.

Gustav Nyquist has a goal and an assist, Robby Dee collected 2 assists for the Black Bears in the win.

It was obvious from the start No Dakota was not going to allow a repeat of last nights 5 goal outburst by Maine. The Fighting Sioux clogged the lanes and made it difficult for Maine to get any offensive flow going. Maine's Adam Shamansky had the two best scoring chances of the 1st getting close, but both times stopped by No Dakota goalie Aaron Dell.

The first half of the 2nd started out the same. No Dakota made offensive movement by Maine difficult. Spencer Abbott got the best chance early on as he broke in, got a point blank shot for 1 hole. Dell got just enough glove on it to deflect the puck off the cross bar.

The Sioux got on the the first goal of the game at the 13:25 mark of the 2nd. The Sioux crashed the net, got enough bodies in front of freshman goaltender Dan Sullivan, and slid one past for a Sioux 1 - 0 lead.

Maine didn't waste any time responding, as 3 1/2 minutes later, the Black Bears evened the score. Spencer Abbott got off a shot from the blue line with Robby Dee crashing the net. Dee got in front of Dell, Tanner House came in to help, and got the puck kicked out to Gustav Nyquist all alone for a clean shot. He snapped off a wrister 1 hole past Dell for the 1 - 1 tie.

Putting bodies in front of Dell paid off again 2 minutes later, as a mad scramble resulted in Joey Diamond poking home a rebound for a Maine 2 - 1 lead at the 18:17 mark of the 2nd. Robby Dee and Josh Van Dyk assisted.

Maine picked up right where it left off in the second scoring just 54 seconds into the 3rd. Jeff Dimmen fed Bryan Flynn at the bottom of the circle, who blasted a shot past Dell for the 3 - 1 lead.

The Black Bears put the game away 5 minutes later as Spencer Abbott finally put one past Dell on a 5 - 3. The Sioux's Ben Blood and Brad Malone were off for Slashing and Tripping respectively.

North Dakota got on the score sheet at the 8:11 mark of the 3rd, at the Sioux's Matt Frattin came in alone shorthanded and beat Sullivan 3 hole for the final score of 4 - 2.

The freshman Sullivan impressed, making tough stops all night, stopping 23 of 25 shots. Sullivan got his first NCAA win.

GAME NOTES: Maine was 2-9 on the power play, No Dakota was 0 - 4.

POST GAME INTERVIEWS
Gustav Nyquist

Spencer Abbott

Bryan Flynn

Dan Sullivan

Head Coach Tim Whitehead


PHOTO GALLERY

University of Maine ties Spartans 4 - 4 in Lansing.

The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team skated to a 4-4 tie with Michigan State on Thursday night at the Munn Arena in East Lansing, Mich. It was the second straight tie for the Black Bears who move to 1-0-2 on the young
season. Robby Dee (Plymouth, Minn.) led the Black Bears with a pair of goals.

Michigan State grabbed a 1-0 lead with a power play goal by Dustin Gazley just 5:08 into the first period.

Maine tied the game at 11:21 of the first period. Will O’Neill (Salem, Mass.) had a shot from the blueline that hit the post. Robby Dee (Plymouth, Minn.) collected the rebound and beat MSU goalie Drew Palmisano for his second goal of the season.
Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) also assisted on the goal.

The Black Bears took the lead just over two minutes later at 13:24. Theo Andersson (Gothenburg, Sweden) had a shot that Palmisano stopped, but on a scramble in front of the net, Mike Cornell (Franklin, Mass.) fired the puck into the back of the net.
It was the first career goal for Cornell. Klas Leidermark (Gavle, Sweden) also assisted on the goal.

The Black Bears extended their lead to 3-1 at 15:59 of the first period. Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) had a shot from the blueline that Palmisano stopped, but he was unable to control the rebound. Adam Shemansky (Robbinsville, N.J.) took the
puck behind the net before finding Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.), who beat Palmisano for his third goal of the season.

MSU pulled to within one goal at 8:23 of the second period when Daultan Leveille fired a shot from the blueline. Maine goalie Shawn Sirman (Blezard Valley, Ontario) got a piece of the shot, but was unable to control it before it crossed the goal
line. Derek Grant and Gazley each assisted on the goal.

Maine added to its lead at 14:00 of the second period. Josh Van Dyk (Woodstock, Ontario) found Abbott on the blueline. Abbott rifled a shot that went through the defense that Dee tipped into the back of the net. For Dee, it was his second goal of
the game.

The Spartans got a power play goal at 17:40 of the second period to pull to within one goal once again. Brett Perlini notched the goal from Gazley. MSU tied the game at 4-4 at 1:53 of the third period with a short-handed goal. Trevor Nill and Mike
Merrifield teamed up on an odd-man rush. Merrifield was able to beat Sirman to tie the game at 4-4.

Maine killed off two penalties late in the third period. The Black Bears then went on a power play with 20 seconds remaining in regulation. Neither team was able to score in overtime and the game ended in a 4-4 tie. Maine held a 41-38 advantage in
shots in the game. The Black Bears were 3-for-5 on the power play, while MSU finished 2-for-8.

Maine goalie Sirman made 34 saves in the game. He moves to 1-0-1 on the season. Palmisano made 37 saves for the Spartans. He moves to 0-0-1.

The two teams conclude their two game series on Friday, Oct. 15. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:42 at Munn Ice Arena.

Maine stomps all over UMass Lowell 8-2

MAINE'S MARK NEMEC SWEEPS PUCK FROM OPEN NET (PHOT BDN/MICHAEL YORK)

The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team opened the 2010-2011 campaign scoring four goals in the first 13:36 of the opening period and cruised past UMass Lowell 8-2. The victory was the 200th for Maine head coach Tim Whitehead
at the helm of the Black Bears. Sophomore forward Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) had two goals and two assists to lead the Black Bears.

Maine opened the scoring with a goal just 69 seconds into the season. Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) won a face-off to  Diamond on the boards. Diamond then found Mike Cornell (Franklin, Mass.) on the blueline. Cornell fired a shot at the goal
that Robby Dee (Plymouth, Minn.) tapped into the back of the net. Adam Shemansky (Robbinsville, N.J.) then collected the rebound of a Josh Van Dyk (Woodstock, Ontario) shot to put Maine ahead 2-0 just 5:13 into the game.

Boston Bruins and HockeyEast Media Day in Boston Presented by The Law Offices of Gary M Prolman

COACH WHITEHEAD ON THE PM JAB 96.3 THE BIG JAB

PRESENTED MY THE LAW OFFICES OF GARY M PROLMAN

University of Maine F Gustav Nyquist and Coach Tim Whitehead

BOSTON BRUINS
Special Thanks to our correspondent for the day, Tim Rosenthal

Maine Voted 2nd in Hockey East Pre-Season Coaches Poll

MEDIA DAY COVERAGE PRESENTED BY THE LAW OFFICES OF GARY PROLMAN

PHOTO BY JEFF SCHOOLS

Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna released the 2010 men's preseason coaches poll on Wednesday afternoon, which was announced at the league's annual media day in the Legends Club at the TD Garden.

The Boston College Eagles, the defending NCAA Champions, are the unanimous pick to win the Hockey East crown in 2011 according to the league's 10 head coaches. The Eagles earned nine first-place votes with a total of 90 points. The Eagles, who won their league record ninth Hockey East Tournament title in March of 2010, have 17 letterwinners returning from that squad, which includes 79% of the team offense. Forwards Cam Atkinson and Brian Gibbons along with starting goaltender John Muse will give the Eagles the neccessary tools to make another run for an NCAA title at the Heights this season. Atkinson led the nation with 30 goals last season, while Gibbons posted a career-high 50 points.