The University of Maine Black Bears opened its season with an explosive 9-3 win over the Providence College Friars Friday night at Alfond Arena on the Maine campus in Orono. Martin Mercier scored the first goal of the season for Maine at the 6:54 mark in the first period on assists by Andy Silverman and Dave LaCouture. Mercier hadn't scored a goal since Feb 9, 1991. Freshman Chris Ferraro scored his first collegiate goal at the 19:37 mark to put Maine ahead 2-0. His brother, Peter Ferraro, and Silverman assisted on the play. The closest Providence came to Maine was after Chad Quenneville scored at the 7:29 mark in the second period to cut Maine's margin in half. Maine's Eric Fenton scored the first of six unanswered second period goals by the Bears 27 seconds later, though. Freshman Chris Ferraro, a fourth round draft pick of the New York Rangers in 1992, had an impressive college debut, scoring two goals and an assist. His brother, Peter, a first round choice of the Rangers, had a goal and two assists to start his career. A record 5,442 fans turned out to see the Black Bears in its season opener at the newly expanded Alfond Arena. Black Bears 9, Friars 3 Providence 0 1 2 - 3 Maine 2 6 1 - 9 FIRST PERIOD - 1. Maine, Mercier 1 (Silverman, LaCouture) 6:54; 2. Maine, C Ferraro 1 (Silverman, P Ferraro) 19:37; PENALTIES - Providence, Bell (served by Hanson), delay of game, 4:25; Maine, Thompson, interference, 9:54 SECOND PERIOD - 3. Providence, Quenneville 1 (Breen, Sundquist) 7:29; 4. Maine, Fenton 1 (Salfi, Conlin) 7:56; 5. Maine, Mercier 2 (Thompson, Martin) 8:21; 6. Ingraham 1 12:02; 7. Maine, P Ferraro 1 (Ingraham, Dunham) 13:43; 8. Maine, Kariya 1 (C Ferraro, Montgomery) 15:43; 9. C Ferraro 2 (Kariya, Montgomery) 19:50; PENALTIES - Maine, LaCouture, tripping, 10:56; Providence, Quenneville, holding, 12:33; Providence, Quenneville, holding, 15:04; Providence, Paskowski, high-sticking, 15:25 THIRD PERIOD - 10. Providence, Ridolfi 1 (Darby, Hulvig) 4:18; 11. Providence, Quenneville 2 (Hulvig, Breen) 9:35; 12. Maine, Silverman 1 (P Ferraro) 13:21 PENALTIES - Maine, Thompson, tripping, 3:22; Providence, Kenney, slashing, 6:01; Maine, Tardif, holding, 10:14; Maine, Tardif, hitting from behind, 13:58; Providence, Kramer, holding, 16:18; Providence, Paskowski, double minor, cross-checking, roughing, 17:59 Goaltenders: Maine, Dunham; Providence, Bell, Mullahy Shots on Goal: Maine 16-15-6; Providence 3-9-4 Attendance: 5,442 +===============================================================+ || RYAN ROBBINS INTERNET: || || UNIVERSITY OF MAINE [log in to unmask] || +===============================================================+