LEWISTON — The Maine Nordiques are heading to the second round of the playoffs.

Behind a three-goal second period, the Nordiques defeated the New Jersey Titans 5-3 in Game 5 of the North American Hockey League East Division semifinal series Sunday night at The Colisee.

Maine will now face the Maryland Black Bears in the East Division final. The schedule for the best-of-five series will be announced in the coming days.

The Titans scored twice in the first five minutes of the game when Brad Zona gave New Jersey a 1-0 with Jake LaRusso and Matthew Iasenza notching the assists. Zack Nazzarett’s shot trickled past Nordiques goalie Tyriq Outen (27 saves) and the Titans took a 2-0 lead.

Maine scored twice in a span of 49 seconds to tie the game. Forward Tristan Fasig scored on a breakaway at the 7:29 mark and Caden Pattison tied the game at 2-2 at the 8:18 mark of the first period.

Anthony Calafiore scored in the final minute of the opening period to give the Titans a 3-2 lead.

The Nordiques tied the game at 3-3 when Stefan Owens scored a power-play goal in the first minute of the second period, with defenseman Luke Antonacci and University of Maine commit Tyler Gaulin picking up the assists.

Jack Strauss gave Maine a 4-3 lead just past the four-minute mark of the middle period.

Cannon Green extended the Nordiques’ advantage to 5-3 midway through the second period, with Long Island University commit Isaiah Fox notching the assist.

Titans goalie Christian Stoever made 38 saves in the loss.

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