The University of Maine’s Black Bears hockey team achieved a significant victory against the No. 6 ranked Denver Pioneers, winning 5-2 at Magness Arena on March 15, 2024. The win marks the fourth consecutive triumph for UMaine, bringing both teams’ records to 12-7-1 as they prepare for the series finale on Saturday evening.
Sophomore right wing Thomas Pichette had a standout performance, scoring two goals and contributing an assist, marking the first two-goal game and three-point outing of his career. Meanwhile, junior goalie Albin Boija made 29 saves, showcasing his skills in crucial moments throughout the match.
Game Highlights and Key Performances
The game started slowly, with a scoreless first period. However, the Black Bears took control in the second period, scoring two quick goals within a span of just over five minutes. Freshman defenseman Lukas Peterson opened the scoring at the 3:41 mark with a shot from the point, his third goal of the season, assisted by Pichette and senior defenseman Brandon Holt. Junior center Sully Scholle followed with his fourth goal this season, capitalizing on a Denver turnover to extend the lead to 2-0.
UMaine’s defense displayed resilience during a five-minute major penalty on Oskar Komarov, allowing only two shots on goal during that critical stretch. This strong penalty kill preserved their lead heading into the third period.
Pichette further widened the gap early in the third, scoring his third goal of the season, but Denver responded just minutes later with a power play goal from junior defenseman Boston Buckberger. The back-and-forth continued as Pichette scored again at 9:35, only to see Denver’s freshman right wing Kristian Epperson answer shortly thereafter, making it 4-2.
With 5:09 remaining, Denver’s coach David Carle pulled goalie Quentin Miller to gain an extra attacker, but Boija stood firm, making several critical saves. Holt sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, his fourth of the season, with just 59 seconds left in the game.
Defensive and Team Efforts
UMaine outshot Denver 34-31, while the Pioneers attempted a staggering 72 shots, demonstrating their offensive pressure. However, the Black Bears’ defense proved effective, blocking 19 shots compared to Denver’s four, with junior defenseman Frank Djurasevic leading with six blocks, bringing his season total to 41.
Head coach Ben Barr praised his team’s effort, stating, “The guys sacrificed for each other and blocked a lot of shots. They played for each other, and that’s a good sign for our culture.” He also highlighted the outstanding performance of the fourth line and the momentum gained from the penalty kill.
As UMaine prepares for the concluding game of the series, they aim to build on this momentum against Denver, who has faced only 16 home losses in their last 92 games, a testament to their competitive home environment. Both teams will face off again on Saturday at 8 p.m., as the Black Bears look to continue their winning streak.
