BIDDEFORD — The gauntlet has been hurled down.

The University of New England has played its ECAC East league cousins from USM just once, Tuesday night in fact, and if future contests are as heated and hard-fought as the inaugural, a fierce rivalry has just been born.

As it was, Southern Maine earned bragging rights until the next meeting ”“ to come next season ”“ with a hard-fought, 2-1 white-knuckler at the Biddeford Ice Arena.

USM leveled 46 shots at Nor’easters goalie Dallas Ungarian, and put just two past him, both on the same power play, in a 3:11 span of the third period.

“It was an intense game,” said UNE captain Jack Nolin. “Both teams battled the whole time.”

While the first-year Nor’easters (0-8, 0-5) are still looking for the program’s first-ever win, they had no trouble revving themselves up for their initial meeting with the Huskies (2-4-1, 2-2-1).

“We were definitely inspired,” said Nolin. “I think anytime you see a UNE/Southern Maine game, you’re going to see a battle out there. Especially after this one.”

The first two periods featured no scoring, but both teams did wear ruts in the ice leading to the penalty box.

A total of 15 roughing minors were meted out in that span, 13 of them coming in the contentious second period.

“I love this game,” said UNE coach Brad Holt. “I think we need to do two of these next year. It is such a great rivalry. The penalties aside, it is a feisty game.”

UNE took the lead ”“ for just the second time in its short history ”“ when Brendan Brickley scored on a power play at 2:19 of the third period.

However, the Nor’easters soon found themselves in serious penalty trouble, which took the form of an extended two-man shortage.

The Huskies made them pay twice, getting the tying goal from Paul Conter at 5:06, then the game winner from Ryan Boucher at 8:17.

“We got in the [penalty] box,” said Nolin, “and that’s what killed us. We were up a goal and they scored two on us. We’ve got to work on that. We’re a young team, and if we play 60 minutes of hockey and play smart, we can do well against these teams.”

The Nor’easters will be idle for the holidays, returning to action Jan. 2 at Plymouth State.

Their next home game will be a Jan. 6 exhibition against the University of Rhode Island club team.

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.