Box ScoreBIDDEFORD, Maine – The Skidmore College hockey team lost its ECAC East opener, 3-2 in overtime to the University of New England, Friday night.
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The game was the league-opener for both teams, with UNE improving to 2-0 overall and Skidmore slipping to the .500 mark at 1-1.
Ryan Quinn scored 3:36 into overtime to give the UNE the  come-from-behind win.
Quinn's game-winner came after a rush up the left side by Jared Melman got UNE deep into Skidmore's defensive zone. David Goff came up with the puck and put a shot on goal, which was stopped by Thoroughbred goaltender
Jack McDonald.. Quinn poked in the rebound from the left doorstep.
UNEÂ had forced overtime with a goal in the final minute of regulation. With goaltender Colby Drost pulled in favor of an extra skater, Trevor Fleurent roofed a wrist-shot from the left circle to tie the score at 2-2. Melman.
An early third-period goal by
Anthony Bird nearly proved to be the game-deciding goal for Skidmore. Bird carried the puck from his own defensive zone past several UNE skaters and up the left side before crossing over into the slot and pushing the puck into the five-hole at 2:58 of the frame.
Each team scored once in the opening period.
Sean Timmons tallied his first collegiate goal midway through the frame when he converted a wrister from the high slot after
Thomas Park  had laid the puck off.
Andreas Michailidis also received credit for an assist.
Big Blue tied the score 3:09 later on the power play. Sam Vikich stuffed home a rebound off a shot by senior Zeth Zielinski.
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Drost finished with 24 saves to grab the win for UNE. The senior came up big in overtime, stopping five shots as Skidmore pressed at the outset of the extra session.
McDonald was solid between the pipes for the Thoroughbreds, totaling 38 saves.
Both teams have less than 24 hours of rest before hitting the ice tomorrow for league play. Skidmore travels up the road to Gorham to face the University of Southern Maine, while UNE hosts Castleton State College. Both game start at 4 p.m.
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