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Spencer Naas is at it again.
The Huskies' freshman phenom registered his 11th goal of the season with 20 seconds left in overtime to give UConn a 2-1 victory at Maine Friday night.
Naas' goal gave the Huskies (8-12-5, 5-6-2 Hockey East) their first win in overtime this season.
UConn's win, coupled with a win by Merrimack over UMass Lowell, keeps the Huskies and Warriors in a tie for eighth place while dropping Maine back to ninth. The three teams were tied entering the day.
The game was a battle between two goaltenders who refused to put the puck past them. UConn's Rob Nichols and Maine's Matt Morris each finished with 33 saves.
The Huskies took the lead five minutes into the second period, thanks to Cody Sharib's fifth goal of the season. Ryan Tyson and Patrick Kirtland connected for a great goalscoring opportunity on Morris' glove side, but the Maine goaltender was up to the task. The puck fell right into Sharib's path for the rebound.
UConn nearly won the game in regulation, but Maine was able to equalize with six minutes to play. Devin Shore, the Black Bears' captain, fired home a goal from the high slot. Nichols never had a chance to make the save.
Brent Norris was stopped on a two-on-one opportunity with 38 seconds left, opting to take the shot himself instead of passing to Joey Ferriss.
The two teams went back and forth in overtime, and they looked destined for a tie before Naas' goal. Naas fired a wrist shot from near the left face-off circle that squeaked past Morris, who could not keep it out of the net. Corey Ronan nearly got the last touch on the puck, but Naas was credited with the goal.
UConn and Maine will complete the home-and-home series Sunday. The two teams will meet at the XL Center at 2:05 p.m.