BIDDEFORD, MAINE—The University of New England (4-8) scored three first period goals en route to a 5-1 victory over the SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (5-6-1) on Saturday afternoon. Ben Pearl scored twice for UNE.

The Nor'easters struck quickly. Just 1:22 into the contest, Pearl scored to put UNE up for good. Nearly five minutes later, Pearl struck again to make it a 2-0 contest. At the 14:10 mark, Zeth Zielinski gave the Nor'easters a 3-0 advantage. The Bears outshot New England 11-7 through the first 20 minutes, but were unable to close the gap.

Potsdam finally solved Nor'easter goalie Colby Drost at 3:28 of the second period. Junior forward Matt Thompson (Anchorage, Alaska/Kenai River Brown Bears) finished a feed from classmate Billy Pascalli (Deer Park, N.Y./New York Bobcats) to make it 3-1. Senior forward Zach Blake (Campbellford, Ontario/SUNY Plattsburgh) earned the second assist on the play. However, UNE answered at 6:53 as Sam Vikich beat Bears junior goaltender Jon Hall (Dexter, N.Y./Stouffville Spirit). At 15:21, Kyle Williams netted a power play-marker to give the Nor'easters a four-goal advantage that they carried into the second intermission.

Potsdam controlled the play in the third period, outshooting UNE 14-3. Despite the pressure, the Bears couldn't squeeze another puck past Drost the rest of the way. The Nor'easters were unable to generate any further offense as they held on for the 5-1 victory.

Hall finished with 15 saves, while Drost stole the show with 37 stops to earn the victory.

UNE was 1-for-1 on the power play, while Potsdam was 0-for-2.

The Bears are back in action next Friday, when they head to Providence, R.I. to take on Johnson & Wales at 7 p.m.