By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

ORONO – The effort they faced was much different but the result was the same.

The University of Maine Black Bears didn’t have as easy a time with the UMass-Lowell River Hawks on Saturday but still managed to earn a trip to the Hockey East semifinals next weekend with a 5-1 victory at Alfond Arena..

The Black Bears had soundly beaten Lowell 7-2 Friday night. This time around Maine saw a more determined Lowell team. UMaine still broke a scoreless tie in the second period with a pair of power play goals by Josh Soares and Michel Leveille.. The win clinched the best-of-three quarterfinal series with the River Hawks. The Black Bears now await the result of the Boston University-Providence College game today to determine the pairings for next Friday’s semifinals in Boston.

“It feels really good,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “Over the second half of the season, I thought we really recaptured our home ice advantage, and we really needed it against a strong team like this.”

Fourth-seeded Maine (20-11-7) got third period scores from Derek Damon, Billy Ryan and an empty netter from Rob Bellamy while goaltender Jimmy Howard made 21 stops in the win. Keenan Hopson had three assists for the Black Bears.

“We got the one Friday,” said Leveille. “We didn’t want to play three games. Playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday can be tough in this league. We wanted to get the job done and we did.”

Fifth-ranked Lowell (20-12-4) went with freshman goaltender Peter Vetri in hopes of forcing a decisive third game Sunday. The Black Bears got more production out of its power play, however. After netting four goals Friday with the man advantage, Maine got two more in the second to open up the lead.

“They seem to be playing their best hockey at the most important time of the season, which is a trademark that stems for years and years,” said Lowell coach Blaise MacDonald.”We had chances to get a goal early on. When they got two in the second period, it was like game over with a guy like Howard in the net.”

When Jason Tejchma was called for tripping early in the third, Maine broke the ice at 3:07. Brett Tyler’s knuckler from the point was redirected in front by Soares. The sophomore forward was in the lineup for Brent Shepheard, who was out with an injury.

“I thought he was outstanding in that spot,” said Whitehead. “He did a nice job screening the goalie without getting in the crease. He ended up defecting one and screening on the other. I was just real proud of him. I thought he handled that position real well.”

Lowell had a prime chance to tie it with a two-on-one. Bobby Robbins set up Jeremy Hall for a shot, but Howard slid across for the stop with 14:06 left.

Maine then made it 2-0 with 5:30 left in the period while skating four-on-three. Keenan Hopson fed Leveille for a one-timer from the right circle.

“It was a great set up by Greg and Hopson made a great pass,” said Leveille. “I just put it on net and the goalie wasn’t there.

The Black Bears padded the lead with 11:46 left in the game when Derek Damon blasted one from the left circle.

Lowell finally put one by Howard with 9:20 left in the game when Andrew Martin scored on the power play. It was the only goal produced by Lowell’s top line in the series. Ryan made it 4-1 backhanding in a rebound with 5:13 left, and Bellamy hit the empty net with 3:08 remaining..

Though Maine had another quick start, outshooting Lowell 6-0 to open the game, the Black Bears couldn’t get the early goal for the second straight game. Instead, the River Hawks had the best opportunities in the opening period. Brian Bova stole the puck and had a shorthanded breakaway chance until Tyler broke up that bid.

The Rivers Hawks had a three-on-one with two Maine defenders caught together at the right circle, but Matt Walsh lost control of the puck and failed to produce a shot. Hall stole the puck and broke in for a shot that Howard turned aside.

“I was really pleased,” said MacDonald of the opening period. That was the best hockey we’ve played up here. I was pleased the way we played in the second period, but once again our penalties caught up with us.”