Lewiston, ME – CMCC Men's Hockey completed a season sweep of crosstown rival Bates College on Wednesday night with an 8-1 win at Underhill Ice Arena. It was the Mustangs second time this season scoring eight goals against the Bobcats. Alternate captain Michael Belleau had a four-point night while Gavin Pellerin and Braeden Gagnon each scored two goals.
It took just 1:43 for Pellerin to give Central Maine the lead with Michael Belleau setting him up with his first of three assists on the night. A roughing penalty put CMCC on the power play for the first time. Gagnon made it 2-0 midway through the period with assists going to Max Meserve and Dylan Blue.
Lucas Laforest made it 3-0 less than two minutes into the second period off Belleau's second assist. Bates pulled one back with their first power play of the game, when Cody Dionne was called for slashing. Simon Wilson scored to keep the hosts within two, but only for a few minutes. Pellerin scored from yet another Belleau assist at the 9:16 mark for the Saco, ME native's sixth of the season. Belleau then got on the board himself to make it 5-1 heading into the third.
The Mustangs added three more in the final frame to put the game away. Sam Foley scored for the second straight game, netting his 15th of the season 4:53 into the period. Defenseman Zach Mitton scored on a power play, assisted by Foley, to give both of them a two-point night. When Bates took a penalty with 1:02 on the clock, head coach Jordy Knoren made the decision to sub in back-up goaltender Braydon Fitch, replacing Cam Wickens, for his first official appearance in a CMCC jersey. Gagnon added his second of the game for the team's third powerplay goal of the night with 31 seconds remaining.
Central Maine outshot Bates 56-30. Wickens improved to 12-3-0 on the year with his 29 saves, while Hayden Lee made 48 stops in a losing effort for the hosts. The Mustangs have now beaten the Bobcats in all four meetings since their return to the league last season, scoring six or more goals in each game.
CMCC prepares to take on fellow divisional and in-state rival Thomas College at home on Friday, January 23rd. Puck drop against the Terriers is set for 6:45 pm at Norway Savings Bank Arena.
