ORONO, Maine — Blaine Byron’s goal with just 1:23 left in the third period completed Maine’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Massachusetts at Alfond Arena Saturday night, sweeping the weekend series.
“It’s all positive,” said Byron. “It gives us a lot of confidence in the room after two wins like that.”
A back-and-forth first period, which had 29 total shots between the teams, ended scoreless.
Dennis Kravchenko’s third goal of the weekend came on the power play to put the Minutemen on the board 14:31 of the second. Maine goaltender Sean Romeo made the initial stop on a Shane Walsh shot, but fell on his back in the scramble. The puck broke free and Kravchenko lifted it over Romeo for the 1-0 UMass lead.
The Minutemen doubled the lead just 63 seconds later when Frank Vatrano blasted a slap shot past Romeo.
Maine jolted to life at the 7:04 mark of third period courtesy of Devin Shore, who deflected a Mark Hamilton shot past UMass goalie Steve Mastalerz.
Liam Pecararo netted the equalizer after he found an open lane and got a shot down low past Mastalerz’s glove.
The Black Bears continued to apply pressure and forced Mastalerz into several more saves before Byron’s winning goal sent his team home happy.
Minutemen coach John Micheletto liked what he saw, despite dropping the game, and said he liked the “process” his team went about.
“We have a better indication of the kind of team and talent we have,” Micheletto said. “We are a young team, we didn’t manage those shifts very well. The momentum pulled away from us.”
“Credit to our guys, all of them, for responding so well to the challenge,” said Maine coach Red Gendron.
Romeo stopped 30 shots in his first collegiate win.
Mastalerz made 35 saves.
