SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Junior Ryan Seward's (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) five-on-three power-play goal late in the second period proved to be decisive as the University of Southern Maine defeated Skidmore College, 3-2, in ECAC Men's East action Saturday afternoon at the Saratoga City Rink.

            The win gave the Huskies a split of their season-opening weekend road trip to Castleton State and Skidmore.  The Thoroughbreds also split their season-opening weekend defeating the University of New England on Friday.

            The Huskies gained their second five-on-three advantage of the second period and Seward converted a set up from freshman Kelby Lorenz (Mississauga, Ont.) and sophomore Alex Pompeo (Hingham, Mass.) at 17:36 to snap a 2-2 tie.

            Seward's marker would hold up over the final 22:24 as USM freshman goalie Dylan Wells (Nashville, Tenn.) earned his first win as a Husky making 27 saves.  Wells was particularly sharp in the third period making 11 stops.

            Southern Maine's penalty killing unit played a big role in the victory killing off all eight Skidmore power plays, including five-on-three advantages in the first (1:05) and second (1:13) periods.  USM killed off all 11 opponent power plays during the two-game trip.

            Lorenz opened the scoring late in the first period following a Skidmore turnover in the neutral zone.  Junior Lorne Miller (Montreal, Que.) picked up the lone assist.

            Rookie Cole Klippenstein (Franklin, Tenn.) increased USM's advantage to 2-0 less than three minutes later with a shot from just inside the blue line.  Junior Sam Guimond (Portland, Maine) had the assist.

            Skidmore got one goal back in the final minute of the period as junior David Limoges (Saint-Hippolyte, Que.) beat Wells for his second goal of the season.

            The teams played nearly 15 scoreless minutes in the second period as each side effectively survived five-on-three short-handed situations. Sophomore Jack Even (Wethersfield, Conn.) would tie the game for Skidmore at 14:48 with his first goal of the season.  Limoges and senior Dave Dupuis (Kuujjuaq, Que.) were credited with the assists.

            Southern Maine finished the game with a 30-29 edge in shots on goal.  Skidmore sophomore goalie Ben Freiberg (Weston, Mass.) made 27 saves before being lifted in the final minute for the extra attacker.

            The Huskies return home next weekend to host Norwich University on Friday (7:00 p.m.) and Saint Michael's College on Saturday (4:00 p.m.).  Skidmore will be on the road traveling to New England College on Friday (7:00 p.m.) and Saint Anselm College on Saturday (4:00 p.m.). 

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