Maine head coach Ben Barr noted after the game that Cornell seemed to score on every big turnover the Black Bears committed.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The University of Maine men's hockey team lost to Cornell University on Thursday night in its first NCAA Tournament game in 12 seasons at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass.
Not only did the team and Maine fans have to wait more than a decade to get back to the NCAA Tournament, they had to wait a little longer to face Cornell University.
In Thursday's first game, Denver defeated Massachusetts-Amherst 2-1 in double overtime, with Maine entering the game an hour and a half after the scheduled start.
Just six minutes into the game, Harrison Scott converted a corner kick from the slot, giving the Black Bears an early 1-0 advantage.
Just a few minutes later, Cornell was assessed a 5-minute major penalty and the University of Maine was awarded a power play. Mayne was able to create some quality scoring chances, but he was unable to capitalize on them.
Maine head coach Ben Barr said after the game that Cornell seemed to score on every big turnover committed by the Black Bears, and Maine was unable to capitalize on opportunities in the offensive zone.
Although it was a disappointing result, Coach Barr complemented the hard work his players put in this season and was proud of the steps the program has taken.
Cornell scored the tying goal in the first period when No. 22 was able to put the puck in the frame and beat Maine goaltender Victor Ostman.
Despite outscoring Cornell 14-5, the first period ended in a 1-1 tie.
After the Black Bears had some decent scoring chances in the second period, Cornell scored on half of the frame to make it 2-1.
Cornell took a 2-1 lead into the third period and scored twice midway through the final frame after Maine missed a chance.
Despite pulling their goaltender to take advantage of an extra skater, Maine was again unable to score and lost 3-1.
Cornell University will play Denver in the regional final Saturday afternoon in Springfield. The winner advances to the Frozen Four.
Co-captain David Breazeale echoed his coach's sentiments, saying that while the results weren't what he expected, he was proud of the team's growth over the three years under Barr.
In Barr's first season in Orono, Maine won only seven games.
