ORONO, Maine — Maine used goals from three different goal scorers and rookie goaltender Jeremy Swayman’s 27 saves to clinch a second straight victory over its rival Wildcats and complete a Hockey East postseason sweep at Alfond Arena. The Black Bears improve to 18-14-4 on the season and will next take on Providence in the league’s quarterfinals, while the Wildcats’ season and the career of legendary head coach Dick Umile come to an end.
Liam Blackburn lifted visiting UNH to a 1-0 lead just 9:26 in, but Mitchell Fossier and Nolan Vesey flipped the score Maine’s way with goals at 3:03 and 18:04 of the middle period, respectively. Eduards Tralmaks scored the eventual game-winner on the power play at 17:32 of the third as Benton Maass brought the visitors within one in the final minute.
Defenseman Rob Michel assisted on all three Maine goals, while Brady Keeper provided help on the first two. Fossier finished with an assist on the Tralmaks winner in addition to his own goal. In the UNH net, Danny Tirone made 40 saves.