COLLEGE HOCKEY : Overtime Goal Lifts Maine Over Boston at Forum

Taking advantage of a Boston University mistake in sudden-death overtime, the University of Maine defeated the Terriers, 6-5, at the Forum Sunday to claim its third Great Western Freeze-Out tournament title in four years.

The Black Bears’ Dan Shermerhorn scored 2:43 into the extra period after Boston defenseman Chris Kelleher lost control of the puck and gave it away in front of his own net. Shermerhorn, fore-checking deep in the Terrier zone, flipped the puck over diving Boston goaltender Derek Herlofsky.

“Those kind of things happen in overtime,” said Maine Coach Shawn Walsh. “When you’re playing on ice that hasn’t been resurfaced in a while, the rule is to keep it simple and don’t get fancy with the puck. It was a terrific win, especially the way we came back.”

Shermerhorn, who had two goals in the game, got Maine on the board two minutes into the second period. Boston answered with goals by Shawn Bates, Chris O’Sullivan and Mike Grier. The Black Bears’ Brad Purdie and the Terriers’ Mike Sylvia then traded goals and Boston had a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.

In the third period, Maine used goals by Wayne Conlan and Tony Frenette to tie the game. After the Terriers again took the lead on a goal by Ken Rausch, Black Bear defenseman Dave MacIsaac sent the game to overtime when he scored with only 24 seconds left in regulation and with Maine goaltender Blair Allison on the bench in favor of an extra attacker.