3 min read

ORONO – The jinx is up — at least for now.

The University of Maine survived its first game against a ranked opponent since knocking off Minnesota in the first game of the season, upending No. 7 Boston University 2-1 in front of 5,641 blue-clad fans at Alfond Arena Saturday.

Maine is the first team this season to survive a weekend unbeaten after being tabbed as the nation’s No. 1 team.

“There’s a bit of a lift that you get when you come out and see the whole arena full of fans wearing blue shirts,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “That atmosphere gave us a big boost tonight.”

It was an initial boost the Black Bears, wearing their light blue third jerseys for the first time, would need.

In the third period, Boston University applied solid pressure on Maine’s defense and goaltender Frank Doyle, but all sides held tough.

“Doyle played outstanding for us tonight,” said Whitehead. “He made some key stops when he needed to, and the defense played well in front of him.”

That defense was tested in the third period, as BU outshot Maine 10-4 and tried to capitalize on two late power-play opportunities.

“I don’t think we played that well until the third period,” said BU coach Jack Parker. “We had opportunities all night, but we kept turning it over. We had tenacity, but there was no crispness to our game.”

The game also featured several penalties and several potential penalties that the officials let slide.

“It was as physical as we had expected,” said Whitehead. “We always expect a physical game against BU, and we got it.”

“All I can say is that I am glad that we tape the games,” added Parker, who twice started to berate the referee for calls that never happened.

Maine gave spectators something to cheer about early in the first period when freshman defenseman Mike Lundin converted a pass from forward Ben Murphy into a weak wrister that eluded BU netminder Sean Fields, bouncing over his stick and over his blocker.

“I had two guys barreling at me, so I just shot the puck in on net,” said Lundin.

The Black Bears pushed the lead to 2-0 at 14:11 of the first.

Colin Shields grabbed the puck at his own blue line, intercepting a Terrier pass, and skated the length of the boards on the right wing side. He sidestepped two BU defenders and let a blast go from the right circle, beating Fields high to the glove side for his sixth goal of the season.

“I thought the defenseman was going to come over after me,” said Shields, “but he kept backing off, so I let a shot go.”

Officials called just two penalties in the first, both on BU, despite the expected physical nature of the game. Maine failed to convert on both power-play opportunities.

The Terriers struck back with a goal midway through the second period when Ryan Whitney drove into the left corner and outmuscled the Maine defense for the puck. Whitney, a defenseman by trade, flipped the puck from his backhand to Matt Radoslovich in front, who tipped it past a prone Frank Doyle for the goal.

“I lunged instead of sliding,” said Doyle. “By the time I was there it was too late.”

Maine will travel to Boston College on Friday and to New Hampshire on Saturday next week, while BU will host New Hampshire on Friday night.

[email protected]

Comments are no longer available on this story