PORTLAND, Maine – Bentley went toe-to-toe with No. 8 ranked Maine, but ultimately fell 3-2 on Saturday night at the Cross Insurance Arena.

The Black Bears led 1-0 after the second period and the action picked up in the final 20 minutes as the teams traded goals.

Just past the 10 minute mark of the 3^rd period, Falcons sophomore Ryan Upson jammed the puck home in front of the net to tie the score. Tanner Main put the puck on net from the blue line and Ryan Mansfield then took a shot on the rebound that was saved by Black Bears goalie Victor Ostman, but Upson was there for the rebound and his 3^rd goal of the season.

Just over two minutes later, freshman Kellan Hjartarson gave the Falcons a 2-1 lead. The goal started with Stephen Castagna breaking down the ice after a Maine turnover. Castagna shoveled a pass ahead to Hjartarson in the offensive zone and he beat Ostman with a backhander in the slot for his fourth goal of the season.

The lead didn't last long, however, as Maine's Cole Hanson scored just 11 seconds later to tie the score.

Then with just over four minutes remaining, Maine freshman Josh Nadeau fired in his second goal of the night from above the right faceoff dot give them a 3-2 lead. The goal was Nadeau's 10^th of the season.

Maine improved to 10-3-1 on the season with the win, while the Falcons close out the first half with an 8-10 record.

Shots on the night were 35-31 in favor of Maine. Falcons goalie Connor Hasley made 32 stops.

Bentley is now off until Dec. 30 when they host Union College.