ORONO, Maine - Maine's mediocre .500 record? Doesn't matter. Not when the University of New Hampshire comes to town.

Goaltenders Matt Lundin and Jimmy Howard combined to make 24 saves yesterday as the Maine men's hockey team, ranked ninth in the nation, shut out No. 7 UNH, 3-0, at Alfond Arena.

UNH has not won a game at Alfond Arena since Jan. 8, 2000 (5-4). Since that contest, Maine owns a 6-0-1 record in six games against the 'Cats in Orono.

Howard started for Maine (6-5 overall, 2-2 Hockey East) before leaving with an injury with 4:16 remaining in the second period after making a spectacular save on UNH forward Sean Collins. Lundin took over amid an offensive flurry by the Wildcats (4-2-1, 1-1), but stood his ground to preserve the shutout over the final period and a half.

Maine got on the scoreboard first at 8:56 into the game on a goal by Brent Shepheard, his third of the season. Freshman forward Keenan Hopson stole the puck from a New Hampshire defender and pushed it to Jon Jankus streaking toward the net. Jankus crossed the puck to the goalmouth to Shepheard, who one-timed a shot past Wildcats goaltender Jeff Pietrasiak.

The Black Bears took a 2-0 lead on a power-play goal by junior forward Greg Moore with 12:45 remaining in the game. Billy Ryan and Derek Damon earned helpers on Moore's sixth goal of the season. Maine sealed the game with an empty-netter by Shepheard with 1:19 left in the game. Jankus picked up his second assist.

Pietrasiak played well for the Wildcats, stopping 24 shots for the Wildcats. The junior netminder made eight stops in the first period and a game-high 10 in the third period.

The Wildcats return for a home game Friday against Providence College. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Whittemore Center.

The game will be broadcast live by New Hampshire Public Television.

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