PORTLAND – For a few minutes, one had to wonder what was wrong with the University of Maine hockey team.

The Black Bears defeated the United States junior national team 5-1 in an exhibition at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Sunday. But in the opening moments of the game, the Black Bears had difficulty creating intensity, following through on routine plays and producing scoring chances against the national team development program’s U-18 team.

Additional Photos

UMaine's Theo Andersson gets a shot off against U.S. goalie Matt McNeely, left, as defenseman Michael Pailotta closes in on Sunday. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Josh Shorey of Hermon celebrates a Black Bear goal with his wife, Melissa, and son, Benjamin, 9 months, wearing his Bears hat, during an exhibition hockey game between the University of Maine and the under-18 U.S. national team Sunday at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland. Derek Davis/ Staff Photographer

Maine's Ryan Hegarty, center, jousts with Zac Larraza, left, and Cole Bardreau of the U.S. U-18 junior national team during their exhibition Sunday at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Maine pulled away for a 5-1 win. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

The game was played for pride and there was plenty of that on the line, as shown by hits such as Brice O'Connor's on Tyler Biggs late in the game. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

That changed, however, as Maine put 27 shots on goal in the second and third periods, and scored three unanswered goals in the third.

“We couldn’t take them lightly, and I think we did in the first period,” Maine left wing Spencer Abbott said. “The thing that we’ve got to take out of this is that we can’t really take anyone lightly. We knew that they were going to be a good team. There’s going to be other teams where we just can’t take them lightly, and maybe some other people might think that we could. And we can’t.”

Maine right wing Gustav Nyquist, who had three assists, agreed.

“In the first period, they were ready and they really came after us,” Nyquist said. “Just because they’re younger than you doesn’t mean they can’t play hockey. They’re still a very skilled team.”

The U.S. U-18 team took a 1-0 lead with six minutes left in the first on Reid Boucher’s power-play goal from the slot. But once the Black Bears found a rhythm on offense they still had to contend with U-18 goalie Matt McNeely. The Minnesota-Duluth recruit — who originally committed to Maine in 2009 – made 39 saves Sunday.

“It was the most exciting game I’ve ever played in,” McNeely said. “There was a lot riding on it for me and for my team.”

But, McNeely added, “We took a few too many penalties and the score was a little lopsided.”

Mike Cornell tied the game at 1-1 with five minutes left in the first, and Brian Flynn gave Maine its first lead on a power-play goal with 11 seconds left in the first. That sparked the momentum for the Black Bears.

“Once we fell behind, we knew we couldn’t let them beat us,” Abbott said.

The Black Bears scored three unanswered goals in the third period — Abbott’s power-play goal 50 seconds into the period, followed by Josh Van Dyk’s tally at 7:33 and Jon Swavely’s power play goal with 1:52 to play. The game got more physical as it went on, culminating with Maine’s Kelen Corkum and Blake Pietila exchanging punches in the corner with 1:16 left.

The teams combined for 28 penalties –14 in the third period, including three game misconducts (two against the U.S. U-18 team).

“I’m not really sure why they chose to run around taking runs at people, but we were up to the challenge,” Maine Coach Tim Whitehead said. “But I don’t see the point of that.”

NOTES: With less than seven minutes left in the game, Maine defenseman Nick Pryor left the ice after a collision in the corner. Whitehead said Pryor suffered a concussion. … Maine finished 3 for 10 on the power play. … Martin Ouellette made 23 saves for Maine.

Staff Writer Rachel Lenzi can be reached at 791-6415 or at:

rlenzi@pressherald.com