Hockey Hosts Northeastern in Final Home Game of 2009
MERRIMACK COLLEGE HOCKEY
Friday, December 4, 2009, 7 p.m., Lawler Arena / Buy
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Tonight's Matchup: Merrimack looks to
snap a three-game losing streak when it hosts Northeastern
University in the first game of a home-and-home series. Following
Friday's game, Merrimack will play seven straight on the road
and will not return home until January 23 when it hosts
Providence.
Lifetime vs. NU: Merrimack is 32-40-9 lifetime against
the Huskies. The Warriors have struggled recently against NU, going
just 1-10-3 since November of 2004.
Coach Dennehy vs. the Huskies: Coach Dennehy is 1-8-3
lifetime.
Last Season vs. Northeastern (NU won series
3-0-0):
(1/9/09 - NU W, 2-1): Merrimack outshot and outplayed NU but fell
2-1 as Ryan Ginand scored the game-winner when Joe Cannata was
caught out of his net. Joe Cucci tied the game for Merrimack after
Steve Qualier scored on a penalty shot.
(1/10/09 - NU W, 2-1): Brad Thiessen stopped 30 shots, including
24 in the final two periods as the Huskies swept the weekend series
with another 2-1 win. Chris Barton scored late in the third, while
Andrew Braithwaite stopped 31 shots.
(2/6/09 - NU W, 4-3): Merrimack scored two power-play goals and
led 3-2 midway through the third, but #3 NU rallied for the 4-3
win. Fraser Allan, Pat Kimball and Chris Barton each scored for
Merrimack.
UNH Snaps Merrimack's Home Streak
After starting 6-0 at home, Merrimack suffered its first home loss
of the season on November 28, falling to UNH 5-4. Dating back to
last season, the Warriors are 9-3-1 in their last 13 home
games.
Ten Forwards Earn a Point in UNH Loss
Ten different forwards each earned a point in the 5-4 loss to UNH,
highlighted by goals from J.C. Robitaille, Justin Bonitatibus, Joe
Cucci, and Jeff Velleca.
Da Costa Leads the Country in Points Per Game Among
Rookies
Freshman Stephane Da Costa continues to lead all rookies in the
country in points per game and is tied for third in points with 16.
He is fifth among Hockey East skaters in scoring. Da Costa has
points in eight of 10 games this season.
Power Play is Second in Hockey East and Fourth
Nationally
The Merrimack power play, which has goals in 10 straight games, is
second in Hockey East and fourth nationally, scoring at a 27.0%
clip.
Warriors Lead Hockey East in Scoring, Fourth in the
Country
Merrimack is tied for first in Hockey East and tied for fourth in
the country, averaging 3.92 goals per game. A team that
hadn't scored six times in one game since 2004, they have
accomplished the feat twice this season. They've netted at
least three goals in 10 straight and at least four in six straight
home games. The Warriors have finished last in Hockey East in goals
since 2002-03 and ranked among the bottom two since 1998-99.
Back-to-Back Sellout Crowds
Merrimack has sold out its last two home games (2,990 fans), after
not selling out for 121 straight home games, dating back to
February 9, 2002.
Long Road Trip Looms
Following Friday's game, Merrimack will play seven straight
games away from North Andover spanning 49 days. They will not
return home until January 23 against Providence. In 2007-08,
Merrimack embarked on a 5-game, 47-day road trip and went 0-4-1. In
2002-03, a 6-game, 37-day trip resulted in a 3-3 record.
Combined Special Teams Second in Country
Combining Merrimack's special teams, the Warriors rank
second in the country at 58.2% behind Cornell at 60.8%.
Da Costa Repeats as Pro Ambitions Rookie of the
Month
For the second straight month, Stephane Da Costa was named the HEA
Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Month. Da Costa tallied at least a
point in all five games in November, registering eight points (two
goals, six assists).
Lawler Becomes a Home Ice Advantage
Merrimack started 6-0 at home for the first time since the 1988-89
season, its last season as a ECAC member before joining Hockey
East.
Penalty Kill Ranks Second in Hockey East
Not to be overlooked, Merrimack's penalty kill is second in
Hockey East with a success rate of 83.3%. Merrimack's penalty
kill killed 4:24 straight of a 5-on-3 in the second period, and
6:24 in all of 5-on-3's in a 6-3 win over BU on November
13.
Best Hockey East Start Since 1990
The Warriors started 3-1 in Hockey East for the first time since
the 1990-91 season.
Bonitatibus Puts Goal Streak Together
After scoring three times in three years and not playing for seven
straight games, Justin Bonitatibus has goals in two straight games
and three this season in five games.
Brodhag #4 Rookie in Hockey East
Brandon Brodhag ranks fourth among Hockey East rookies with eight
points in nine games. Brodhag has tallied all five of his goals and
all eight of his points in the last six games, including two goals
in a 6-3 win over BU.
Bigos Among Rookie Defensemen Leaders
Kyle Bigos has six points in 12 games this year, tied for second
among freshmen blueliners in Hockey East.
Young Second Line Continues to Score
The second line of sophomore Jeff Velleca and freshmen Brandon
Brodhag and Stephane Da Costa have combined for 24 points (12
goals, 12 assists) since being put together six games ago. They
have combined to score at least once in every game.
Bowen to Play in 100th Career Game
Senior captain Pat Bowen will join Pat Kimball and J.C. Robitaille
in the 100-game club when he plays his next game.
Barton, Da Costa Among Goal Leaders
Stephane Da Costa is tied for fourth in Hockey East with eight
goals, while Chris Barton is tied for sixth with seven. Barton has
points in 10 of 12 games this year.
Warriors Snap 22-Game Skid Against Eagles
With the 5-3 win over BC, Merrimack snapped a 22-game winless
streak (0-18-4) dating back to February 15, 2003. The win was BC
alum and Head Coach Mark Dennehy's first over the Eagles.
15-Game Skid Against Terriers Also Snapped
With the 6-3 victory over BU, Merrimack snapped a 15-game losing
skid against the Terriers that dated back to February 12, 2004. The
win was also Coach Dennehy's first ever against BU.
Alternating Goaltenders in First 11 Games
After alternating between goaltenders Joe Cannata and Andrew
Braithwaite in the first 11 games, the run ended against UNH on
November 28 when Cannata made his second straight start.
Strong Starts and Finishes
Merrimack is tied for first in Hockey East with 15 first-period
goals and third with 16 third-period tallies.
Moulakelis Nets First Goal
In his 15th career game, Matt Moulakelis, who has endured multiple
surgeries, netted his first career goal and a career-high 14
penalty minutes, in the 6-3 win over BU.
Velleca-Da Costa-Brodhag Line Shines in BC
Split
The line of sophomore Jeff Velleca and freshmen Stephane Da Costa
and Brandon Brodhag combined for 11 points in two games against the
Eagles, with each registering a goal and an assist in the 5-3 home
victory over BC.
Bowen Among Defensemen Leaders
Senior captain Pat Bowen is tied for fourth among Hockey East
defensemen with eight assists. Bowen had points in five straight
games, which is a career-high.
Earning National Votes
Merrimack earned votes in the USCHO National Poll for five
straight weeks. Prior to this season, they last received national
votes in November of 2007 when they swept Maine.
Defensemen Showing Offensive Talent
Merrimack's seven defensemen have combined for 35 points
this season, led by nine from Pat Bowen.
Four in a Row
Merrimack won four straight, defeating Holy Cross, Army, Vermont
and Connecticut, for the first time since 2002-03.
Hockey East Opener a Success
Merrimack won its conference opener against UVM for the first time
under Mark Dennehy and for the first time since 2002-03.
Highest Scoring Output in the Dennehy Era
The six goals scored against Army were the most scored in the 140
games coached by Mark Dennehy at Merrimack and the most since
December 23, 2004.
A Magical Night for Da Costa
In only his second career game, Stephane Da Costa netted five
goals, including three power play goals and a natural hat trick,
leading Merrimack to a 6-3 win over Army.
Recapping a Historical Night: Merrimack
Records
5 Goals: Da Costa is the second Merrimack player ever to score
five goals in a game (Bob Magnuson scored six in March of 1980). He
is the first Warrior to net five in Division I.
5 Points: Most points scored in a game by a Warrior since Ryan
Cordeiro vs. Maine in February 2002.
11 Shots on Goal: First Warrior to record 11 shots on goal in a
game since Merrimack went Division I in 1988.
3 Power -Play Goals: First Warrior to net three power-play goals
in a game since joining Division I, 21 years ago.
Natural Hat Trick: First Merrimack freshman ever to have a natural
hat trick. Da Costa scored his three goals in exactly 10 minutes in
the first period. The last Merrimack player to record a natural hat
trick was Andy Heinze in the Hockey East Quarterfinals against
Boston College on March 4, 1990.
Recapping a Historical Night: Lawler Arena
Records
The freshman scored the most goals in a game at Lawler Arena in
the 37-year history of the building.
Recapping a Historical Night: Hockey East
Records
The Paris, France native is the first Hockey East player to score
five goals since Brian Gionta of Boston College in 2001. His three
power-play goals are the most since Ben Walter of UML scored three
on October 24, 2003. He is the first freshman in HEA history to
score five times in a game and is the first player to score five
goals and get a natural hat trick as part of his first collegiate
goal in Hockey East history. The last natural hat trick in Hockey
East was Mike Sislo (UNH) on December 11, 2008.
Recapping a Historical Night: Hat Trick Notes
The last Merrimack player to get a hat trick was Matt Johnson
against RPI on October 29, 2005. The last Warrior to get a hat
trick at home was Marco Rosa vs. BC on February 15, 2003. Alex
Sikatchev was the last player to net four goals in a game (vs.
Colgate, November, 23, 2001). As previously noted, the last
Merrimack player to record a natural hat trick was Andy Heinze in
the Hockey East Quarterfinals against Boston College on March 4,
1990.
Recapping a Historical Night: NCAA Records
Da Costa set at least two NCAA records. He is the first freshman
in NCAA history to score a natural hat trick and get five goals in
the same game, let alone in his second career game. He is also the
first player to score five goals and get a natural hat trick as
part of his first collegiate goal. His three power-play goals are
tied for the second most in NCAA Division I history and are the
most since November 6, 2005.
Non-Conference Home Winning Streak at Eight
Since the beginning of the 2007-08 season, the Warriors are 8-0 at
Lawler Arena against non-conference teams. Merrimack finished this
season 3-0 against non-conference teams at home.
Strong on Opening Night
Merrimack is now 6-1-2 in its last nine home openers.
Barton Scores Four of Team's First Five
Goals
In the first-ever meetings between Merrimack and North Dakota,
Chris Barton netted three of his team's four goals, while
posting a team-high eight shots. Barton then scored the first goal
against Holy Cross, netting four of Merrimack's first five
goals.
Cannata Just Misses Shutout
In the 3-1 win over Holy Cross, Joe Cannata was 45 seconds away
from his third career shutout. He stopped 26 shots in the win.
Breaking the GAA for 2nd Straight Year
Last year, for the second straight year, Merrimack set a school
record for fewest goals allowed in a season with eighty-nine.
One-Goal Struggles Set a School Record
Despite finishing with a 9-21-4 record, the Warriors were in
virtually every game last year, as they lost 14 games by one goal,
most in the country and most in school history.
Warriors See Two Selected in NHL Entry Draft
For the first time since 2002, Merrimack had two players selected
in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Freshman Kyle Bigos was picked in the
fourth round (99th overall) by the Edmonton Oilers, while sophomore
Joe Cannata was picked in the sixth round (173rd overall) by the
Vancouver Canucks.
Perfect Attendance for Barton
Chris Barton is the only upperclassman to have played in every
game since arriving at Merrimack, playing in 80 straight. Jesse
Todd is the only sophomore to have played in every game after Karl
Stollery missed his first game on November 13 vs. BU.
Non-Conference Wrap Up
The Warriors finished last year 4-2-1 against non-conference
teams. They are 13-4-2 in its last 19 against non-conference
foes.
Cannata in the Record Books
Joe Cannata saw his shutout streak end at 101:09 to start last
season when he gave up a third-period goal at Canisius on October
26, 2008. Cannata stopped the first 55 shots he faced, setting a
Merrimack record, and turned aside 66 of his first 67 shots. He was
the first goaltender in school history to register a shutout in his
first start. His 2.35 goals-against-average as a freshman is the
second-best in school history for a single season.
Merrimack in 40+ Save Performances
Incredibly, over the last two seasons, Merrimack is 3-0-2 when its
goaltender stops 40 or more shots. Joe Cannata became the first
goaltender to stop 40+ shots last season with his 44-save effort at
Army. In the 2007-08 season, Andrew Braithwaite did the deed three
times with Merrimack going 2-0-1 in those games.
Warriors Welcome Six Newcomers
Merrimack welcomes six freshmen to the squad, highlighted by
defenseman Kyle Bigos and forward Stephane Da Costa. Two newcomers,
Brandon Brodhag and Rob Morton hail from New York, while Nick Drew
and John Heffernan are local products.
Captains
Senior defenseman Pat Bowen and junior forward Chris Barton will
serve as captains for the 2009-10 season. Junior defenseman Adam
Ross will be an assistant captain.
Scouting the Schedule
Twenty-seven Hockey East games and first-ever trips to North
Dakota and Wisconsin highlight a challenging 2009-10 schedule. The
Warriors open its season with four-straight non-conference games,
including two straight on the road against #6/8 North Dakota and
home games against Holy Cross and Army. Merrimack plays a total of
seven non-conference games this year, five of them in the first 16
days of the season. The Warriors will host 13 conference games
while traveling to fourteen conference road contests, all against
tough Division I competitors. Conference play kicks off at home
against Vermont on October 23. Merrimack's longest road trip
is a seven-game excursion from December 5 - January 22. The
Warriors close out their 2009-10 slate with two home games against
Maine and a home-and-home with Providence.
Camrose Connection
Chris Barton, Karl Stollery, and Jesse Todd all played junior
hockey with the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL. Barton, who was a
sophomore while Stollery and Todd were freshmen, helped Camrose to
two straight AJHL and Doyle Cup Championships in 2006-07 and
2007-08.
The Alberta Pipeline
Seven players are from Alberta on this year's Merrimack
squad, tied with Massachusetts for the most from one province or
state. Besides the Camrose trio, Carter Madsen, Elliott Sheen,
Brandon Sadlowski, and Adam Ross hail from Alberta.
Lawler Renovations
Over the summer, Merrimack committed 1.2 million to install a new
ice bed and compressor system as part of the Lawler Completion
Project. The press box was also expanded. Future plans call for the
removal of all bleachers in favor of chairback seats as well as the
redesign of the Volpe Complex lobby.
Warriors on TV
Merrimack is on TV three times, once more than last season. Both
games in North Dakota aired on Fox College Sports, while the
February 20 game at UMass will be carried by NESN.
Warriors on 1400 AM, Internet
All Merrimack home games will be webcast online at
www.merrimackathletics.com courtesy of B2 Networks (pay-per-view
video and free audio). All road games can be heard live online for
free at www.merrimackathletics.com. All Merrimack games can be
heard live on 1400 AM.
2009-10 Hockey East Preseason Coaches Poll
The Warriors were picked to finish tenth in this year's
preseason poll, voted on by the coaches of Hockey East.
Rank Team (1st place votes) Pts.
1. Boston University (6) 84
2. UMass Lowell (2) 79
3. Boston College (2) 76
4. New Hampshire 59
Vermont 59
6. Northeastern 57
7. Massachusetts 47
8. Maine 32
9. Providence 24
10. MERRIMACK 23
