In Orono, the University of Maine men’s hockey team made a historic move by securing their spot in the Hockey East semifinals for the first time since the 2011-12 season. This achievement came after a commanding 5-0 victory against the sixth-seeded New Hampshire team. The match took place at the Alfond Arena, which was packed to the brim on Saturday night.
The standout performances of the evening came from freshman brothers Bradly and Josh Nadeau. Each contributed impressively with two goals and two assists. Freshman goalie Albin Boija also played a pivotal role, stopping 18 shots to keep a clean sheet. Ben Poisson, a graduate student playing left wing, added another goal for UMaine, while junior Nolan Renwick, the center between the Nadeau brothers, assisted three times.
With this win, third-seeded UMaine’s record improved to 23-10-2, while sixth-seeded UNH ended their season at 20-15-1.
UMaine is now set to face the second-seeded Boston University in the semifinal. This match is scheduled for Friday at the TD Garden in Boston, starting at 7:30 p.m. The other semifinal will see the top-seeded Boston College go up against the fifth-seeded UMass at 4 p.m.
Josh Nadeau shared his thoughts on the victory, emphasizing the team’s collective effort and the significance of their contribution as brothers. He highlighted their strong connection throughout the season and the importance of playing simple, detail-oriented hockey.
The game’s first goal came early in the second period, breaking the deadlock. After a solid save from Boija, UMaine quickly transitioned from defense to attack. A skillful play by Bradly Nadeau, involving a long cross-ice backhanded pass to his brother, resulted in Josh Nadeau scoring with a precise wrist shot.
This goal ended the opposing goalie Jakub Hellsten’s record of 213:30 shutout minutes. Hellsten ended the game with 20 saves.
UMaine’s lead was further extended by Poisson during a power play, following a series of well-executed passes. The Nadeau brothers and Renwick continued to display their chemistry, contributing to more goals and showcasing their strategic playmaking during power plays.
Bradly Nadeau shared the team’s strategy during a game delay, which led to another goal from a well-planned play. This goal was part of UMaine’s effective power play performance, which has been a strength in recent games.
UMaine’s defense was also commendable, limiting UNH to just 10 shots on goal in the last two periods. Head coach Ben Barr praised the team’s energy and execution, especially considering UNH’s tight schedule leading up to the game.
UNH’s coach, Mike Souza, acknowledged the Nadeaus’ impact, highlighting their ability to capitalize on opportunities. He expressed his wish for a more competitive performance in the later stages of the game but ultimately recognized the challenges his team faced.
This victory not only marks a significant milestone for UMaine’s men’s hockey team but also sets the stage for an exciting semifinal matchup. The team’s cohesive play, strategic execution, and standout performances have them poised for success in the upcoming games.