BIDDEFORD ”“ A fledgling varsity hockey program such as the one being built at UNE will take a silver lining where ever it can find one.
Especially in the face of Friday’s 6-0 thumping it was dished by the Nation’s fifth ranked team, Williams.
But at least the Nor’easters can take a little comfort in this.
They were perfect when playing two men short, which they were for nearly four minutes.
“We’re getting it,” said UNE coach Brad Holt. “We’re going to have to find our victories in certain places. That was one of them.”
The rest of the time?
That was an ongoing challenge for the second year squad.
The worst of it came during a brief (2:18 in duration) but disastrous stretch late in the first period, when the Ephs scored three goals to blow apart a scoreless deadlock.
Connor Alvany netted the first of those, a short hander, at 13:19.
That goal, Alvany’s first of two, hit the Nor’easters like a two-hander between the eyes.
“That was a real killer,” said UNE senior captain Jack Nolin. “You saw some guys get down, on the bench. Then they (the Ephs) pumped some more real quick. That’s going to kill you real quick.”
UNE goalie Mike Roper (40 saves) made several strong stops before the end of the period to keep the score respectable.
The Nor’easters hit penalty trouble, midway through the second, but were able to withstand a lengthy 5-on-3 Williams advantage.
Later, at 11:06, Olvany scored during a five-minute major handed UNE’s John Melancon, effectively putting the game away.
Despite the lopsided result, Holt was able to point to some positives.
“It’s a tough lesson,” said Holt. “But it’s good to play them. We are better for it. We have to pick up the pass. We are too slow, too deliberate, (and) watch too much instead of participating. They pushed us off of pucks. It is a good lesson for us.”
The Nor’easters were outshot 46-16.
UNE’s task doesn’t get any easier, as perennial power Middlebury will skate into BIA this afternoon (3 p.m.).
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