No. 5 Terriers Fall to No. 10/11 Maine, 5-3, in Hockey East Semfinals
Nieto has first career two-goal game
Sophomore Matt Nieto had the first two-goal game of his career.

Sophomore Matt Nieto had the first two-goal game of his career.

March 16, 2012

Box Score | Video Highlights
Postgame Comments: Coach Parker

BOSTON - The No. 5 Boston University men's ice hockey team allowed four power-play goals, including the game-winner with 12:17 left in regulation, in a 5-3 loss to No. 10/11 Maine in the Hockey East semifinals on Friday evening at TD Garden.

Sophomore Matt Nieto scored his second goal of the game at 4:03 of the third to make it a 3-3 contest, but the Black Bears used their potent power play to regain the lead for good on Mark Antoine's unassisted winner.

The Black Bears added an empty-netter on yet another power play with 29 seconds left in regulation.

Maine (23-12-3) held a 44-31 advantage in shots, as senior Kieran Millan made 39 saves. He totaled 189 saves over BU's four games in the tournament to set a new Hockey East record.

BU (23-14-1) opened the scoring just 2:46 into the game when junior Alex Chiasson got around the Maine defense and potted his 15th goal of the season. Despite losing control of the puck, Chiasson last touch was enough to get through Maine goaltender Dan Sullivan's legs.

That was the lone goal of the opening stanza, but the Black Bears used a BU penalty late in the first to even the score right away in the second. Junior Joey Diamond knocked home a loose puck at the top of the crease just 46 seconds into the middle period to make it a 1-1 contest.

The Terriers were able to regain the lead, however, when Nieto found the back of the net at 6:16 of the second following a drop pass by sophomore Sahir Gill.


 

 

Senior Will O'Neill singlehandedly gave Maine its first lead of the night, as he tied the game at 11:25 of the second and then added another just over seven minutes later with the Black Bears skating on the man advantage to give them a 3-2 lead.

Nieto's second marker of the night came in transition, as he backhanded the puck past Sullivan off a pass from sophomore Adam Clendening, who picked up his second assist of the night.

The Terriers will now await their draw in the NCAA tournament, as they are expected to earn to earn one of the 11 at-large berths in the bracket thanks to their body of work over the season. The NCAA Selection Show will be broadcast on Sunday (March 18) at noon live on ESPNU.