Box Score #8/9 UMass Boston Pulls Away From Southern Maine 5-2
BOSTON -- The #8/9 ranked University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons scored three third-period power-play goals to pull away from the upset-minded University of Southern Maine Huskies for a 5-2 victory in New England Hockey Conference action Friday night at the Beacons Ice Arena.
The win extended the Beacons' unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1), and improved their record to 15-3-2 overall and 11-1-1 in league play. The Beacons have won the last six meetings between the two teams. The Huskies fell to 5-14-1 overall and 2-11-0 in NEHC games.
Tied 2-2 heading into the final period, the Beacons took the lead for good when senior Mike Miller (Wrentham, Mass.) converted a set up from classmates Derek Colucci (North Scituate, R.I.) and Matt Lemire (Townsend, Mass.) into his eighth goal of the season at 8:01.
Just over five minutes later, Lemire lit the lamp for the 10th time this season giving the home side a 4-2 advantage. Junior Tyler Bishop (Ramsey, N.J.) added his second goal of the game at 15:49 to conclude the scoring.
Southern Maine, backstopped by sophomore goalie Kyle Shapiro (Ocean, N.J.), took a 1-0 lead in the opening period. Sophomore Alex Pantalone (Hudson, Mass.) tallied an unassisted power-play goal at 13:52 to give USM a 1-0 lead. Shapiro kept UMB off the score sheet despite out shooting USM 18-7 in the period.
Midway through the second period, Bishop's first goal of the night, coming on the power play, tied the score. Less than two minutes later, rookie Bryan Carter (Hudson, Mass.) gave the Beacons their first lead of the night with his second goal of the season.
The Huskies kept battling and got an equalizing goal at 15:56 as rookie Aaron Carmichael (Broomall, Penn.) scored his first career goal. Shapiro was brilliant over the first 40 minutes stopping 38 of 40 shots, including 20 in the second period.
Shapiro finished the night making a career-high 53 saves. At the opposite end, senior Zach Andrews (Coral Springs, Fla.) stopped 23 shots to remain unbeaten (6-0-0) on the season.
Lemire led the UMB offense with a goal and two assists. Senior Frank DeAugustine (Pittsburgh, Penn.) passed out three assists, and sophomore Colin Larkin (Waterford, Mich.) had two helpers.
UMass Boston out shot USM 58-25 in the game, and converted on 4 of 7 power-play opportunities. USM was 1 for 3 with the man advantage.
Southern Maine is back in action on Saturday (4:00 p.m.) facing #6/8 Babson College. UMass Boston looks to extend its unbeaten streak hosting the University of New England on Saturday (4:00 p.m.).
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