Maine's men's hockey team split its season-opening series at Holy Cross, winning 4-1 on Friday, Oct. 2, before losing 3-2 in overtime Saturday, Oct. 3.
The Black Bears nearly recovered from a two-goal deficit in Saturday's game at the DCU Center in Worcester. Isa Parekh scored at 16:33 of the third period, and Lee Parks added a power-play goal at 17:39 to force overtime.
Connor Welsh ended the game 1:33 into the extra period, assisted by William Elias and Owen Kim. Both teams finished the weekend at 1-1.
Holy Cross had taken a first-period lead on Matthew Kursonis' goal at 8:57. Noah Eyre made it 2-0 on the power play at 13:05 of the third, leaving Maine fewer than seven minutes to respond.
Parekh's goal came with assists from Tanner Klimpke and William Gerrior. Lukas Peterson assisted on Parks' tying goal. Both Parekh and Parks scored their first goals for Maine.
Petter Wickstrom Stumer made 23 saves in his first start for the Black Bears. Maine outshot Holy Cross 28-26 and went 1-for-4 on the power play. The Crusaders converted one of five opportunities with the extra skater.
Friday's opener at the Hart Center Rink gave Maine a more direct start to its 50th season. Klimpke scored twice on the power play during an early five-minute major penalty, accounting for half of Maine's goals.
Brock James scored in the third period, and Owen Fowler added an empty-net goal. Albin Boija made 18 saves as Maine held a 30-19 shot advantage. Parekh, Sully Scholle and Peterson each supplied two assists.
Maine's special teams were central to both results. The Black Bears converted two of seven power plays Friday and killed all four Holy Cross opportunities. Saturday's tying goal also came on the power play, but the Crusaders had already scored with the extra skater.
The Black Bears return to Alfond Arena for their home-opening series against Quinnipiac on Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Sources:
https://goblackbears.com/news/2026/10/3/mens-ice-hockey-crusaders-get-past-black-bears-in-ot
https://goblackbears.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/stats/2026-27/holy-cross/boxscore/16519