Black Bears, Cornell tie> Svoboda scores 10 seconds after Maine’s Mantenuto

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ITHACA, N.Y. – Shawn Walsh, the University of Maine men’s hockey coach, has seen his share of weird bounces throughout his career.

After Bears freshman winger Mike Mantenuto had broken a scoreless tie with 9:10 remaining in regulation, the last thing Walsh wanted to see was a puck in front of his net and goaltender Mike Morrison behind the net awaiting it.

But that’s exactly what happened and Cornell’s Dan Svoboda was in the right place at the right time to supply the Big Red with a 1-1 overtime tie at Lynah Rink Tuesday evening.

Maine is now 4-3-3 overall while Cornell is 2-2-2. Each team extended its unbeaten streak to four games and both are 2-0-2 during that stretch.

Both teams have also allowed only four goals in the four games.

Senior Svoboda, a native of the Czech Republic, scored just 10 seconds after Mantenuto.

“I’m really proud of our guys. We played really hard and smart,” said Walsh. “We were without four regulars and we were in a hostile environment. It was disappointing to see them tie it when the puck hit the Zamboni door and came right in front.”

Krzysztof Wieckowski rimmed the puck into the Maine zone off the center ice faceoff and just before it skimmed behind the net, it hit the Zamboni door in the corner and ricocheted into the low slot.

Mantenuto’s goal was set up by Chris Heisten, his former teammate with the Walpole Senior Stars of the Eastern Junior Hockey League.

Heisten took a Cornell defenseman wide before sliding the puck across the slot to Mantenuto, who ripped it past Cornell goalie Matt Underhill from 10 feet out.

Walsh said he expected a close, low-scoring game. The two teams battled to a 2-2 overtime tie at Portland’s Cumberland County Civic Center.

“It was a very good hockey game. It was physical and there were good chances at both ends. We had the better chances, but I have no complaints,” said Walsh. “Our team is playing very good defense right now. We aren’t giving up second and third shots.”

Morrison finished with 19 saves, including eight of the Grade-A variety.

Underhill rejected 28 shots including 13 Grade-A’s.

Maine had 28 high-percentage scoring opportunities to Cornell’s 11. Maine attempted 55 shots to Cornell’s 44.

Maine killed off five Cornell power plays, including three in the second period, and the Bears have now been successful on 35 of their last 36 shorthanded situations.

The Bears will play two more non-league games against ECAC teams when they visit Brown University in Providence, R.I., Friday night and Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., Saturday evening.

Maine will regain the services of suspended right winger Niko Dimitrakos and defenseman Cliff Loya for the weekend.

Bears 1, Big Red 1 Maine (4-3-3) 0 0 1 0 – 1 Cornell (2-2-2) 0 0 1 0 – 1

First period – No scoring. Penalties: Cornell, Murray, interference, 5:21; Maine, Begg, hooking, 7:41; Cornell, Kozier, hooking, 12:22; Maine, Trattnig, obstruction interference, 15:40; Cornell, Kozier, holding the stick, 19:44

Second period – No scoring. Penalties: Maine, Trattnig, charging, 3:42; Maine, Kerluke, hooking, 6:32; Maine, Turgeon, hooking, 11:27.

Third period – 1. Maine, Mantenuto 1 (Heisten, Janik), 10:50; 2. Cornell, Svoboda 1 (Wieckowski), 11:00. Penalties: Maine, Lawson, unsportsmanlike conduct, 12:18; Cornell, Powell, slashing, 12:18

Overtime – No scoring. Penalties: None

Shots on goal: Maine 5-12-11-1-29, Cornell 6-8-4-2-20

Goaltenders: Maine, Morrison (20 shots-19 saves); Cornell, Underhill (29-28)

High-percentage scoring chances: Maine 8-5-11-1 – 28, Cornell 0-5-5-1 – 11

Power-play Opportunities: Maine 0 of 3, Cornell 0 of 5

Attendance: 3,836