Hockey Battles to 1-1 Tie with Maine
Boxscore
ORONO, ME – The Merrimack hockey team outplayed Maine at
Alfond Arena but settled for the 1-1 tie Saturday night.
The tie snaps a six-game losing streak in Maine for the Warriors
dating back to a 2-2 tie on December 3, 2004. Maine entered
Saturday's game winners of six straight and four straight at
Alfond Arena.
After over 34 minutes of scoreless play, the Warriors took
advantage of a turnover by goaltender Scott Darling as Pat
Kimball (Framingham, MA) intercepted Darling's pass
and shoveled it to Francois Ouimet (Lorraine,
Quebec) who beat an out-of-positioned Darling for his
third of the season and first since opening night.
Merrimack controlled the puck and possession for most of the game,
but with just 5:46 remaining, Keif Orsini redirected a Will
O'Neill shot past Joe Cannata (Wakefield,
MA) to even the score at one.
The visitors did not quit as Fraser Allan (North
Battleford, Sask.) had an excellent chance in the final
minute as he took a feed from Elliott sheen (Lethbridge,
Alberta), but his wrist shot was turned aside by Darling.
The Warriors out shot the Black Bears 23-15 in regulation.
Both teams battled in the extra frame, racing up and down the ice,
but the lone quality Warrior chance was on the stick of
Chris Barton (Calgary, Alberta) with 6.6 seconds
left, but his shot deflected off a Maine defender and went out of a
play behind Darling.
Making his first start since the 5-5 tie nine days ago against BC,
Cannata stopped 15 shots. Darling made 22 saves.
The Warriors (3-6-3, 1-5-2 HEA) are back in action Tuesday when
they host UMass Lowell at 7 p.m. at Lawler Arena.
