Spencer Abbott scored two goals and was one of six different players to score goals in the University of Maine's 7-3 win over the United States National Under-18 team Friday at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Maine's top line of Gustav Nyquist, Brian Flynn and Tanner House combined for eight points, including individual goals by each player.

Nick Payson and Kevin Swallow also scored for the Black Bears in the exhibition game. Dave Wilson made 14 saves for Maine, which resumes its Hockey East schedule Sunday against No. 14 New Hampshire at Alfond Arena in Orono.

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The Black Bears scored three of their seven goals in the second period, and two of those three # Nyquist's goal at 1:36 and Flynn's goal at 8:12 # came on the doorstep of the Under-18 team's goal.

It's a critical area if you are intent on creating offense. And prior to Friday's game, it wasn't very familiar territory.

"It's huge," said House, who assisted on Nyquist's second-period goal. "That's the key for us, we're trying to get better at being closer around the net, to get traffic and we're burying chances and getting those garbage goals."

That's right, Maine's taking out the trash.

"That's where you score the most goals," Nyquist said. "We've been working hard in practice to get to the net a little bit better and we did a good job of that. It turned out good."

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There were a couple new faces in Maine's lineup for the exhibition game, including defenseman Mark Nemec, who dressed for the first time this season, and David de Kastrozza, who moved from forward to defense to give the Black Bears an eighth defenseman.

"This is a very important opportunity for those guys to get in and help the team in a game situation and really get their feet wet," Maine Coach Tim Whitehead said.

Former Bangor High standout Nick Payson scored a goal in the win, and Whitehead said Payson provided the Black Bears a physical presence on the fourth line.

"He set the tone physically and got a few chances on net," Whitehead said. "Physically, he made an impact on the game."

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As of this afternoon, only obstructed view seats were available for Sunday's game against UNH. If you can't get tickets, the game will be televised on ESPNU.

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