BOSTON – An unlikely hero finally solved Sean Fields’ mastery of the Maine Black Bears.

Freshman Mike Hamilton scored his fifth goal of the year midway through the third period to end Field’s 110-minute scoreless streak against the Bears. With Jimmy Howard equally dominating in goal, Hamilton’s goal was all Maine needed as it skated to a 1-0 triumph over stubborn Boston University in the semifinals of the Hockey East tournament.

The victory sends Maine (29-7-3) into the Hockey East championship game tonight against Massachusetts, whicj beat New Hampshire 5-2 in the other semifinal.

The Terriers, the tourney’s No. 8 seed, end their season at 12-17-9.

“At the start of the game we came out and played the way we wanted until the start of the third period,” said BU coach Jack Parker. “They took it to us the first six or seven minutes of the period.

“We were back on our heels a little bit. We weren’t going after the puck.”

Hamilton, a freshman forward from Victoria, B.C., and a sixth-round draft choice of the Atlanta Thrashers, had struggled some while adjusting to collegiate hockey, but Maine coach Tim Whitehead said he had seen flashes of brilliance from his young star.

“He’s been a great addition,” said Whitehead. “He can skate and he can shoot the puck. He’s a strong kid with big legs. I don’t think he knows how strong he is.”

Hamilton showed that strength, fighting off a defender on his back to score the game’s lone goal at 7:09 of the third period.

With the puck in the corner to the right and behind Fields, Jon Jankus gained control and directed it into the slot. Fields was in position, but he had no chance as Hamilton quickly one-timed the feed into the net.

“We got the puck in deep and Jankus threw it out,” said Hamilton. “I just tried to hit the net and I beat him blocker side.”

“I kind of heard him scream,” said Fields. “He got it off really fast and put it where he had to.”

Fields was credited with 31 saves.

In addition to ending Fields’ three-game stretch of more than 110 scoreless minutes against the Bears, Hamilton’s goal ended the longest scoreless tie in a Hockey East semifinal at 47:09.

Howard, who stopped 21 shots, earned his sixth shutout of the season and ninth of his career. He entered the game as the top goalie in the country with a 1.17 goals-against average.

“I had an easy night because of my teammates,” said Howard. “They cleared the puck for me and they didn’t block me. I could see the puck. That makes it a lot easier.”

The Maine sophomore was challenged early as BU controlled the play as Maine’s offense struggled to find its rhythm.

“In the first period they really controlled the game for the first 10 minutes,” said Howard. “Then we started to play our game.”

“We had to get our feet wet at the beginning,” added Whitehead.

Howard was up to the task, denying Bryan Miller on an early breakaway. While making several difficult saves, Howard was spectacular in the opening minutes of the second period when BU had a man advantage. After stoning Kenny Roche in the slot, Howard somehow got his pad on Saco’s John Laliberte’s rebound attempt at the crease.

As the game wound down, BU began playing with a greater urgency. With a losing record, a Hockey East title was the only way the Terriers would earn a invite to the NCAA tournament, but Howard and his teammates kept BU at bay.

While Maine appears to have a certain No. 1 seed wrapped up for the NCAA tourney, the team isn’t looking past the Hockey East title game.

“We’d like to meet that objective,” said Whitehead. “Any time you continue to win, it builds your confidence. We’re not going to sit back.”

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