Weekly Wrap-Up Maine and Cornell unbeaten no more

For the first time this season, Maine and Cornell both lost on a toss up weekend in college hockey.

Maine did get a victory on Friday night against UMASS-Lowell 4-1, but on Sunday the New Hampshire Wildcats dominated play against the Black Bears on Sunday afternoon in Orono.

New Hampshire jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead thanks to the play of Mike Radja, who earned two goals and an assist in the first period. Maine would score first in the second period and tried to make things intresting. However, the Wildcats quickly had other plans after two power play goals by Maine. And finally in the third period, UNH went back to their ways in dominating play like they did in the first period. Two quick goals by Chris Murray and Matt Fornataro in 25 second (and a goal by Trevor Smith a few minutes later) sealed the deal as the UNH Wildcats gave Maine their first loss of the season. Final score UNH 8-2. Kevin Regan stopped 33 of 35 Maine shots on goal including an 18 save second period performance.

The night before saw Cornell go into the game unbeaten. The Big Red had momentum after coming from behind in the third period against Harvard on Friday to give Cornell the 3-2 win. But Dartmouth came into the game with a lot energy after a 6-3 win against Colgate the night before.

The first period saw Dartmouth scored two power play goals in the period one by Ben Lovejoy and the other by T.J. Galiardi gave the Big Green a 2-0 lead over Cornell in the first period. Cornell took 16 shots on goal in the first but were denied on every angle they took against goaltender Mike Devine. After a scoreless second period, the Big Green opened up the lead to 3-0 when Tanner Glass scored an empty net goal with 2:22 left in the game. Cornell however made it close at the end scoring two goals in 20 seconds (both four on four), but it was too late for the Big Red to climb out of the hole they created as the Big Green won 3-2 giving Cornell their first loss of the season.

In other college hockey action this weekend:

Denver swept Wisconsin in Madison. The defending National Champion Badgers have lost five out of their last six and are now 4-6-2 heading into their next series at Minnesota. Denver has won their last three games all on the road and are looking to climb up the WCHA standings.

Notre Dame continues its unbeaten streak as it is up to eight games (7-0-1) as the Irish swept Bowling Green. The Irish next have Michigan State on their schedule which should be exciting to watch.

Sacred Heart swept Holy Cross in Atlantic Hockey action.

And Minnesota and St. Cloud State could not settle a score in this rivalry as the Gophers and the Huskies tied in both games.

This coming week the top five games include:

Michigan State and Notre Dame
Boston College and Maine
Nebraska-Omaha and Miami
Minnesota and Wisconsin
Cornell and Quinnipiac

All of these great games and more will be mentioned in the weekly preview coming up later this week.