PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Maine overcame an early goal by Providence and gutted out an important 3-2 Hockey East victory at Schneider Arena on Saturday.

Prestin Ryan capped a two-man breakaway with Luciano Aquino at 13:05 of the third period to give Maine its 10th victory of the season and fifth in Hockey East play.

Through eight games in Hockey East, one against each member school, the Black Bears are 5-2-1.

Providence notched the first goal of the game just 54 seconds into the contest on a shot by Tony Zancanaro that beat Maine netminder Frank Doyle.

Ben Murphy evened the score at 11:35 of the first on a quick wrist shot that beat Providence goalie David Cacciola, and Maine took the lead at 6:45 of the second on a Greg Moore power-play tally with assists from Troy Barnes and Colin Shields. Providence added a powerplay goal of its own early in the third before Ryan scored the game-winner.

Providence has dropped three straight, while Maine has won three and tied one in its last four. The Black Bears return to the ice in two weeks when they face Merrimack in North Andover, Mass.