ORONO, Maine – Despite better forechecking, goaltending and more scoring opportunities, the Northeastern Huskies dropped their ninth straight Hockey East contest, 3-1, to the Maine Black Bears in front of 4,955 at Alfond Arena.

Jimmy Howard made 26 saves and Todd Jackson scored a pair of goals that led to the NU defeat.

Keni Gibson made his return for Northeastern after serving a one game suspension and made an instant impact stopping all of Maine’s 12 shots in the first period on his way to 28 saves on the night.

‘?Keni played well tonight,’ said Northeastern coach Bruce Crowder. ‘?I think our first period from last night and tonight were very similar. We lost the game, but we’re making some steps. They’re small steps, but I think we took a step tonight.’

Maine coach Tim Whitehead agreed.

‘?I like that team,’ he said. ‘?They played really well tonight. It was a really good hockey game from a fan perspective.’

The Huskies were able to score late courtesy of Trevor Reschny who, for the second night in a row, was able to avert the first shutout in this series in its 25-year history.

Brian Tudrick made a lead pass to Reschny on the near side and he skated in unabated and ripped a wrister by Howard.

The lone Husky goal, scored with just 56 seconds to go, terminated any chances for Howard’s fourth shutout of the season, which would have been a Maine record. He did record 26 saves in his first game back since playing on the junior national team.

‘?It was good to have Jimmy back in a Maine sweater,’ said Whitehead. ‘?Jimmy played really well. Northeastern had some great chances but Jimmy came up big.’

The Black Bears started their scoring just 1:42 into the second period when Jackson was sent in on a 2-on-1 against Joe Mastronardi. Jackson faked one way, then went to his forehand for the game’s first goal.

Seven minutes later, the Black Bears would strike again. This time, it was Robert Liscak who recorded his ninth tally of the season when he ripped a backhander over Gibson’s left shoulder.

Maine went ahead 3-0 when Jackson took the puck out of the Northeastern zone during a Husky power play and coasted down the near side, faked Gibson out and wrapped the puck around the other side for the third Maine score.

Northeastern remained in eighth place in Hockey East clinging to the final playoff spot as Boston College upended Lowell.

HUSKY NOTES: Mike Morris will be evaluated this week after the freshman suffered a concussion in practice last Thursday.

‘?With concussions, [the doctors] tend to take it easy,’ said Crowder.