Maine 4, No. 10 Vermont 1

ORONO – Adam Shemansky scored two goals as the University of Maine men's hockey team upset No. 10 Vermont 4-1.

Maine goalie Scott Darling made 31 saves, and Jeff Dimmen and Kevin Swallow also scored for the Black Bears (2-5, 1-2), who earned their first Hockey East win.

Matt Marshall scored and Rob Madore made 35 saves for the Catamounts (2-3, 1-2).

Maine faces Boston University at 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Alfond Arena.

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Yes, Scott Darling looked that good in goal, and his 31-save performance was arguably the best outing for him so far this season.

"Scott played unbelievable tonight," Swallow said. "That's what won the game for us."

It was difficult to tell which was feeding off the other - Darling off his team's defense and fearless play, or Maine off Darling's focused play in goal.

"He really gave us a lift with the way he played, right from the start of the game," Maine Coach Tim Whitehead said. "They got a couple bounces that sent them in on two-on-ones and Scott was very calm. And our guys blocked a lot of shots in front of him, and he was just really sharp tonight."

Furthermore, the Black Bears played one of their most aggressive games so far this season, and several of the Black Bears summed up their motivation.

To quote Shemansky, Darling and Swallow: "We have nothing to lose."

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While Maine was celebrating its first Hockey East win of the season, Vermont Coach Kevin Sneddon discussed what he had in store for the Catamounts, who entered the game ranked 10th in the country in both national polls.

"A yard sale of changes," Sneddon said. "We'll have a lot of line changes, guys in the stands. I just didn't like how unemotional we were. We're a team that plays on positive emotion and there were a lot of blank stares in the first period. We can't give a team, in their own building, that much energy."

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Three stars:

1. Scott Darling, Maine

2. Adam Shemansky, Maine

3. Kevin Swallow, Maine