ORONO – The Maine Black Bears’ hockey team outworked Boston University on Sunday. They outhustled and outmuscled the Terriers – they just couldn’t outscore them.
John Curry, a surprise walk-on star for Boston University a year ago, stopped 37 of 38 shots, including 19 in the third period, to backstop the Terriers to a 2-1 win over the Black Bears in front of 5,493 at Alfond Arena.
“It was a disappointing result, obviously,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “We really felt we could win that game. We had our opportunities. John Curry was fabulous. I thought he was a rock in there.”
The loss is just Maine’s second of the season. BU also defeated No. 6-ranked Vermont on Friday night before making the trip up to Orono. Maine had been ranked No. 2, and won its first game of the weekend, Friday against Merrimack, 3-1.
“I thought that was the best team we’ve played all year,” said Boston University coach Jack Parker. “I was really impressed with how hard they came back after us when we were trying to get the puck out of the zone, and I thought they did well on their power play. We did a good job keeping them away from the net, but they had a lot of time of possession in our zone.”
Matt Lundin stopped 18 shots for Maine.
“I thought he was great,” said Whitehead. “I thought he played excellent. He gave us every opportunity to win that game.”
Brad Zancanaro scored the game-winner for the Terriers late in the second period on a play both Lundin and Whitehead thought should have been whistled dead. As BU advanced into the Maine zone, Saco native John Laliberte fired a shot toward Lundin that the Maine netminder appeared to smother with his left pad. Play continued, and Zancanaro swooped in and poked the puck into the net.
“I think I had it,” said Lundin. “I can’t say for sure, but it was under my pad, and I thought I had it..”
“Billy (Ryan) was back on the backcheck,” said Whitehead. “The puck ended up staying on the side of the goal and Zancanaro did a great job of taking an extra whack at it. We’re going to have to look at it again on the video.”
The goal capped a second period flurry for BU, the only such advantage the Terriers enjoyed all game.
Lundin started the game hot, stopping Chris Higgins twice in one sequence on a great cross-ice feed from Jekabs Relihs early to keep the game scoreless.
Maine opened the scoring on Greg Moore’s sixth goal of the season, a power play tally at 9:31 of the first period.
“That was a good effort from Bret Tyler at the point to get the puck on the net,” said Moore. “I was trying to take the goalie’s eyes away. The rebound was just kind of in front and I whacked at it.”
Lundin preserved the lead late in the period with the Terriers on their first power play of the game, stopping another three shots in close.
In the second, though, the Black Bears and Lundin came unraveled just enough to give Boston University an edge.
Jason Lawrence scored his first collegiate goal at 5:35 on what seemed to be a easy shot from the right circle.
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