ORONO – The University of Maine Black Bears have yet to score an even-strength goal in two games against Merrimack College this season.

But the Bears received power-play goals from Bret Tyler and Michel Leveille on Friday night – they had four in a 4-1 win over the Warriors on Nov. 3 – and that was all they were to need as they posted a 3-0 victory over the hard-working but undermanned Warriors at Alfond Arena.

Teddy Purcell added an empty-netter with seven seconds remaining.

Maine improved to 20-10-2 overall and 13-10-2 in Hockey East. The Bears moved into a tie for fourth with UMass. UMass beat Northeastern 2-0 while Vermont slipped to sixth after suffering a 3-1 loss at Boston University. Vermont is one point behind Maine and UMass.

Merrimack, the lowest-scoring team in the nation with 33 goals in 30 games entering Friday’s game, fell to 3-24-4 and 3-19-2.

Ben Bishop finished with 25 saves in a stellar performance while notching his third shutout of the season and of his career. He made seven Grade-A stops (high-percentage) among his 25.

Merrimack, which was without four injured regulars and had only 11 forwards available, had its winless streak extended to 13 games (0-11-2).

The teams will play again tonight at 7. It will be Seniors Night for Maine’s six seniors.

Maine is 13-0-2 in its last 15 games against the Warriors.

It wasn’t an easy win for the Black Bears as the determined Warriors played an efficient defensive game, limiting Maine to few odd-man rushes by making sure a forward was always coming back to help out the defensemen.

Merrimack has held its opponents to three goals or less in nine of its last 10 games.

“We played well,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “We kept things simple for the most part. I was impressed with the way Merrimack played defensively. Ice was tough to come by five-on-five.”

Tyler scored 5:19 into the game and Leveille collected his third goal in two games with 2:43 remaining in the second period while Maine was enjoying a four-on-three power play.

Tyler’s goal came about as the Bears had good offensive zone pressure which resulted in the puck landing on Tyler’s stick just beyond the top of the right circle.

“I was just hoping to get it on net for a rebound [chance],” said Tyler. “I saw [Mike] Hamilton going to the net.”

Tyler’s wrister that glanced off Merrimack goalie Jimmy Healey and into the net.

“It hit my glove and went in,” said Healey who added that Tyler does a “great job” getting the puck to the net quickly.

Whitehead concurred.

“I haven’t seen anyone better. He has excellent vision and skill at the point,” said Whitehead.

Mike Hamilton and Billy Ryan received assists.

Leveille extended the lead in the second period and again Tyler set it up.

The junior defenseman slipped a perfect diagonal pass over to Leveille in the circle to Healey’s left and Leveille one-timed it over Healey’s short side (glove) shoulder.

“It hit the crossbar and dropped down. It was a great shot,” said Healey, who finished with 31 saves including 12 Grade-A’s.

Leveille said Tyler “one-touched the pass” over to him and that made it difficult for Healey to scramble across to cover the short side.

Bishop was tested in the second and third periods and made several good stops, his best coming with a minute and a half remaining.

Merrimack had pulled Healey in favor of an extra attacker and Mike Alexiou fed it to an unattended Matt Jones at the top of the crease.

Bishop not only made the initial save, he held his ground and stopped Jones’ second attempt.

“I pulled it to my forehand and tried to go upstairs but I think he got his pad on it,” said Jones. “Then I tried to go five-hole and he got his pad on that one, too.”

Bishop said throughout the game he just “tried to stay big” in the net and control his movement.

Jones said Bishop’s six-foot-seven frame presents a daunting challenge.

“He’s a very big kid and it’s hard to find a hole. It’s tough to see the net,” said impressive freshman Jones, who had a team-high four shots on goal.

Bishop credited his teammates for their work in front of him.

BLACK BEARS 3, WARRIORS 0

Merrimack (3-24-4) 0 0 0 – 0

Maine (20-10-2) 1 1 1 – 3

First period – 1. Maine, Tyler 4 (Hamilton, Ryan), 5:19 (pp). Penalties: Merr, Kane, holding, 4::15; Merr, Alexiou, hitting after whistle, 7:47; Maine, Hamilton, hitting after whistle, 7:47.

Second period – 2. Maine, Leveille 16 (Tyler, Purcell), 17:17 (pp). Penalties: Merr, Posteraro, hooking, 4:08; Maine, Ramsey, holding, 7:53; Merr, Bowen, unsportsmanlike conduct, 15:33; Maine, Hamilton, unsportsmanlike conduct, 15:33; Merr, Loprieno, hooking,17:04; Merr, Loprieno, roughing, 18:32; Maine, Hamilton, holding,18:32; Merr, Sadlowski, hitting after whistle, 18:32; Maine, Shepheard, hitting after whistle, 18:32; Merr, Burkholder, slashing, 19:39; Maine, Purcell, slashing, 19:39; Maine, Tyler, cross-checking, 20:00; Merr, Bowen, slashing, 20:00.

Third period – 3. Maine, Purcell 15 (Soares, Leveille), 19:53 (en). Penalties: Maine, Hamilton, hooking, 3:38; Maine, Bellamy, boarding, 6:51; Maine, Morrone, slashing, 10:26; Merr, Burkholder, holding the stick, 10:26; Maine, Morrone, high-sticking, 12:63.

Shots on goal: Merrimack 5-10-10-25; Maine 18-11-5-34

Goaltenders: Merrimack, Healey (34 shots-31 saves); Maine, Bishop (25-25)

Power-play opportunities: Merrimack 0 of 4; Maine 2 of 3

High-percentage scoring chances: Merrimak 2-6-5-13; Maine 8-9-4-21

Attendance: 5,364