The University of Maine’s Black Bears hockey team delivered a significant upset by defeating the No. 6 ranked Denver Pioneers 5-2 on March 15, 2024, at Magness Arena. This victory marks the fourth consecutive win for UMaine, improving their record to 12-7-1, while Denver falls to the same record following the loss.
UMaine’s sophomore right wing, Thomas Pichette, made a notable impact by achieving his first two-goal game and three-point outing of his career. In addition, junior goalie Albin Boija showcased his skill by making 29 saves, playing a crucial role in the team’s success.
The game began with a scoreless first period, but the Black Bears took charge in the second. They scored two goals within just 5:03, with freshman defenseman Lukas Peterson opening the scoring at the 3:41 mark. Peterson’s shot from the point marked his third goal of the season, assisted by Pichette and senior co-captain Brandon Holt.
Following Peterson’s goal, junior center Sully Scholle extended the lead to 2-0, capitalizing on a turnover in the neutral zone. Scholle’s wrist shot found the back of the net, marking his fourth goal of the season with an assist from Owen Fowler.
UMaine faced a challenge when they were penalized with a five-minute major for Oskar Komarov, but the team displayed resilience by allowing only two shots on goal during this critical penalty kill. This defensive effort helped maintain their two-goal lead as they entered the second intermission.
Early in the third period, Pichette added to the lead with his third goal of the season, making it 3-0 with a well-placed shot from a feed by Justin Poirier. Denver’s junior defenseman Boston Buckberger responded quickly, scoring a power-play goal just 2:28 later. The back-and-forth continued as Pichette restored the two-goal cushion, only for Denver’s freshman right wing Kristian Epperson to answer just 46 seconds later, narrowing the score to 4-2.
With 5:09 remaining, Denver coach David Carle made the strategic decision to pull goalie Quentin Miller, but Boija’s performance remained strong, thwarting multiple attempts from the Pioneers. Holt sealed the victory for UMaine with an empty-net goal in the final minute of the game, marking his fourth goal of the season.
The Black Bears outshot Denver 34-31, demonstrating their offensive prowess while also contributing to a strong defensive effort. UMaine’s commitment to blocking shots was evident, with 19 blocked attempts compared to Denver’s four. Junior defenseman Frank Djurasevic was particularly notable, leading the team with six blocked shots, bringing his season total to 41.
Head coach Ben Barr praised his team’s commitment, 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.” Barr highlighted the successful penalty kill as a turning point in the match, providing momentum that propelled his team to victory.
As both teams prepare for the series finale scheduled for March 16, 2024, at 20:00, UMaine will look to continue their winning streak, while Denver aims to bounce back from this unexpected defeat.
