BURLINGTON, VT. — The University of Maine hockey team is really painted into a corner after losing 2-0 Friday night to Vermont at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

Maine forward Rob Bellamy was assessed a five minute major penalty and game misconduct at 10:56 of the second period and Vermont scored twice on the five minute power play that ensued.

Goal: Brayden Irwin at 13:41
Goal: Colin Vock at 15:03

To get into the playoffs No. 9 Maine (15 points) has to find a way to leapfrog No. 8 Massachusetts (17 points) with just three games left.

UMass lost 3-0 to Boston University on Friday and plays BU again Saturday night.

If UMass loses again and Maine can beat Vermont on Saturday, the two teams will pull even in the standings. (Maine would win the tiebreaker because it has won more head-to-head games.)

But, and there is a but here, Maine needs to stay even with UMass through the final two games, or pull ahead.

UMass ends the season with a pair against No. 10 Merrimack and Maine has to play No. 7 UMass-Lowll twice.

There you have it.

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