ORONO, Maine - Colgate took No. 10 Maine to overtime and ultimately fell, 3-2 at Harold Alfond Sports Arena on Saturday night.
COACH HARDER'S COMMENTS
"Well, the Hockey Gods were unkind to us late in the game – a strange bounce and a missing stick. Otherwise, another strong game for us against a top team in an amazing college hockey environment. Games like these make us a better team."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Colgate capitalized on a power play opportunity midway through the first frame when Jack Brandt scored the first goal, assisted by Isaiah Norlin and Ryan Sullivan. This put Colgate ahead 1-0.
Continuing to build momentum, Brandt found the net again at 15:48 with an even-strength goal, once more assisted by Sullivan and Norlin. The period concluded with Colgate maintaining a 2-0 advantage over the Black Bears, solidifying their lead as they headed into intermission.
The Black Bears capitalized early in the second period, with Thomas Freel scoring a power-play goal just over a minute in, assisted by Brandon Holt and Justin Poirier. Afterward, Colgate's defense responded effectively, with Takacs making crucial saves, including multiple stops on attempts by Sully Scholle and other Black Bears players during subsequent power plays.
Colgate had opportunities, notably when Luke Malboeuf's shot hit the pipe, but they couldn't convert during their power-play chances. Despite the pressure and several attempts on goal, the score remained 2-1, as the period concluded.
The Black Bears opened the third period with a goal at 17:52, to level the game at two apiece. Colgate's defense remained resilient, with Takacs making several key saves and Michael Neumeier and others blocking shots to limit the Black Bears' scoring chances. As the period progressed, Colgate kept applying pressure with shots from Sullivan and others, but the Black Bears' defense held firm. The period concluded with the score remaining 2-2 and headed to an extra frame.
The Black Bears secured the win early in the overtime period with a sudden-death goal by Max Scott, who scored 33 seconds into the frame. The goal was assisted by Charlie Russell and Holt. This decisive play concluded the game, with Maine defeating Colgate 3-2.
GAME NOTES
- Jack Brandt scored two goals to bring his season total to five which leads the ECAC.
- Andrew Takacs made 31 saves in net for the Raiders.
- Colgate earned a regulation win and an overtime loss against a ranked opponent in a weekend for the first time since Feb. 4-6, 2021 against No. 13 ranked Clarkson.
- Ryan Sullivan tallied his second two-assists game of the season (Canisius, Oct. 17, 2025)
UP NEXT
The Raiders (2-3-1) return to Hamilton next weekend as they host RIT in a two-game series. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. each day at Class of 1965 Arena.
