GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Zach Joy (Dover, N.H.) scored a pair of goals, including the game-winning goal late in the second period, as the University of Southern Maine opened its 2009-2010 season by defeating Saint Michael's College, 3-2, in an ECAC Men's East game Friday evening at the USM Ice Arena. The game was the season opener for both teams.
Southern Maine sophomore goaltender Koray Celik (Ile-bizard, Quebec) registered 28 saves, including 14 in the final period when the Huskies were protecting a one-goal advantage.
The Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period. Freshman Ben MacLaughlin (Beverly, Mass.) converted a Saint Michael's turnover into his first collegiate goal, an unassisted marker, 43 seconds into the game. Joy doubled the lead at 9:57 when he ripped a wrist shot past Saint Michael's junior goalie Brendan Rimmer (Newbury, Mass.). Senior Chris Travis (Scituate, Mass.) and junior Mike Carpenter (Minot, Maine) picked up the assists.
Saint Michael's got on the board midway through the second period when rookie Alex Davidson (South Burlington, Vt.) scored, tucking the rebound of senior Tim Geverd's (Horsham, Pa.) shot past Celik to make it 2-1. Joy restored the Huskies' two-goal edge at 16:59 putting a 25-foot shot from just inside the right wing circle by Rimmer. Travis and freshman Ryan Boucher (Lewiston, Maine) were credited with the assists.
Senior Pat McGuirk (Hingham, Mass.) pulled the Purple Knights within one before the end of the period converting a feed from junior Glenn Belmore (Cornwall, Ontario) for a short-handed goal at 18:19.
Saint Michael's pressed for the equalizer in the third period, out shooting USM 14-5, but could not put the puck past Celik. Saint Michael's finished the game with a 30-28 edge in shots on goal.
Southern Maine returns to the USM Ice Arena ice Saturday (4:00 p.m.) hosting nationally-ranked Norwich University. Saint Michael's visits ECAC Men's East newcomer, the University of New England, Saturday afternoon (3:00 p.m.).
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