Auburn, ME - Central Maine opened the scoring against UMaine-Orono's non-varsity squad on an unassisted first goal of the season by Quebec native, Charles Campagna. Campagna's goal was closely followed by a Caleb LaBrie snipe from Joshua Noyes during the games opening minutes. UMaine-Orono answered with two quick goals of their own, dampening the raucous spirit of the crowd.

The Black Bears opened the 2nd period with another goal. Down by a goal CM forward Evan Sullivan tied the game early in the second. CM starting goalie Kenny Millar was then "left out to dry" and beat on four straight tallies by UMO's Portillo (2), Clark and Burton.

According to Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach, Kevin Cady, "We certainly don't fault Miller for letting-up the goals. Three were scored after he stopped multiple shots. When that happens you fault the defensive play around him. We opted for a change to spark an offensive attack. We need to learn how to be more disciplined. The ref will always see the retaliation attempt. Although fair to say the officials called a very competent game. We just can't retaliate plain and simple."

Tyler Friel entered the game cold and stoned UMaine the rest of the way. Assistant Coach, Marc Gosselin added, "Sometimes you need to shake the bench-up by changing goaltenders. In this case the move worked to give us a spark."

Friel shutout the Black Bears in his inaugural debut playing college level hockey while making several key saves. Friel backstopped the Brewer Witches last season. Buoyed by Friel's stellar play CM went on the attack scoring three unanswered goals in the third period bringing the crowd to it's feet. Captain Matt Henderson, Sedrick Simons, and Josh Noyes each contributed bringing the Mustang's to within a goal of tying the contest late in the game.

Friel was pulled for the extra attacker at the 1:48 mark in the period. Central Maine mounted an impressive barrage on visiting Black Bears goalie Grant Carrier; a St. Dom's alum. Carrier was stoic while gathering his first win of the season.

All-in-all this was an impressive display of grit and determination by the first year hockey team.

"Many teams would have called it a night being down 7-3 midway through the third. Our conditioning and skill put the more experienced Black Bears on the ropes. We will be a better hockey team after this," said Coach Cady.

CM is back in action this Saturday and Sunday at Auburn's Norway Savings Bank Arena in back-to-back action vs Dartmouth College.