UConn Men’s Hockey Drops Maine, 5-2

After four games on the road to start the year, the UConn men’s hockey team won their home opener in style, 5-2 over the Maine Black Bears. The Huskies were lifted by three goals in the final period to earn their first conference win of the season.

UConn fell early, allowing a goal just 1:18 into the game. However, it didn’t take long for them to respond as Alexander Payusov added to his team lead in goals just under four minutes later. Karl El-Mir put home his first goal of the night in the final minutes of the first period to make it 2-1.

In the second period, UConn had plenty of power play chances but were continually stoned by Maine goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Despite 16 shots to the Black Bears eight, neither team found the back of the net.

However, the floodgates opened in the final period as the Huskies capitalized for a trio of goals. El-Mir notched his second goal of the night on a shorthanded breakaway to add to UConn’s lead, 3-1.

Maine didn’t waste any time in trying to get back into the game, slipping a shot past Adam Huska’s near-post to cut it to a one-goal game. That was as close as they would get, though, as UConn added two goals in the final ten minutes to put the game away.

With the win, the Huskies improve to 3-2-0 on the season and 1-1-0 in conference play. They get back to action tomorrow afternoon for the second game of the weekend against Maine. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. at the XL Center.