BOSTON - Colby Cohen's goal with less than three minutes left in the third period helped Boston University to a 2-1 win over Maine in the first game of a Hockey East quarterfinal Friday at Agganis Arena.

Tanner House gave Maine a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal in the final minute of the first period and Kevin Shattenkirk tied the game at 1-1 at 9:01 of the second.

Maine goalie Scott Darling made 22 saves while BU goalie Kieran Millan made 20 saves.

Maine (12-21-4) and BU (28-5-4) continue the best-of-three series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Agganis Arena.

***

Boston University is No. 1 for a reason. Special-teams wise, that is.

BU entered Friday's game with the nation's best power play at 28.4 percent, and the Terriers ultimately proved that on Cohen's goal.

Held scoreless on their first seven man-advantage opportunities, the Terriers maximized the extra room on the ice late in the third period, taking advantage of a 5-on-3 power play. Cohen's one-timer from the left circle broke a 1-1 tie, 65 seconds after Maine defenseman was sent to the box for hooking, joining teammate Robby Dee, who was penalized for boarding at 15:06

"Their power play is pretty dangerous," House said. "We've got to be a lot cleaner and a lot smarter in those situations. That cost us."

Dimmen sent BU forward Colin Wilson into the boards behind the Maine goal, and the whistle sounded as Wilson fell to the ice and remained prone for a few seconds as Dimmen went to the box.

When asked about the penalty after the game, Dimmen responded, "I have no comment."

Maine, however, set the tone in the game with its strong physical play in the first period, and finished with nine of the game's 13 penalties.

"They were banging the hell out of us," BU Coach Jack Parker said. "They were physical and we weren't."

***

Darling had arguably his best outing since making 31 saves in a 1-0 shutout Feb. 7 at New Hampshire, and Friday night the freshman got plenty of help from his defense, which made a concerted effort to defend its own net, less than a week after, to paraphrase several of the Black Bears, being hung out to dry. (Clothesline, anyone?)

"He played great tonight," Dimmen said. "He kept us in the game the whole way. We had our chances."

Gustav Nyquist agreed, and went so far as to suggest the series would go three games.

"Scott was unbelievable in net," Nyquist said. "He's got to do that in two more games down here."

***

Maine has yet to win a game at Agganis Arena, and is 0-6-1 since the building opened in January of 2005.

***

Maine was the only low seed to lose in the opening night of the Hockey East playoffs. No. 6 Boston College defeated No. 3 New Hampshire 5-3, while No. 5 UMass-Lowell defeated Vermont in overtime, 4-3, and No. 7 Massachusetts defeated No. 2 Northeastern 2-1.

E-mail this entry to a friend