Merrimack and BU Battle in Decisive Game 3 with Semifinal Berth at Stake

3/14/2010 12:00:00 AM

Game 3 Links: Watch Live / Listen Live / Live Stats / Game Notes (.pdf)

BOSTON, MA – The Merrimack hockey team will look to repeat and make history tonight when it faces off with Boston University in a decisive game three at 7 p.m. at Agganis Arena. The winner will advance to the Hockey East Semifinals at the TD Garden next Friday.

Merrimack has reached the semifinals just once in its history, following a three-game quarterfinal victory over the Terriers in 1998. That was the last time the Warriors played three games in three days, and Merrimack emerged with a 5-4 victory at Walter Brown Arena.

Joe Cucci's (Melrose Park, IL) overtime winner Saturday night gave Merrimack its first playoff victory since that 1998 series and evened the quarterfinal series at one game apiece. The win was Merrimack's first-ever victory at Agganis Arena in 11 tries, its first at BU since March 2, 2001, and the first over the Terriers ever in overtime. Merrimack also handed the Terriers their first overtime loss in 15 games, dating back nearly 28 months.

Now, after winning its first playoff game under head coach Mark Dennehy, Merrimack will look to make some history of its own.

The Warriors have never beaten Boston University in two straight games in their 90-game history over 45 years and have never won two straight playoff games. After winning a school record 16^th game last night, Merrimack will look to snap BU's streak of eight straight semifinal appearances.

Merrimack also received goals from Stephane Da Costa (Paris, France) and Brandon Brodhag (Brooklyn Park, MN) on Saturday and killed 10 of 11 Terrier power plays, including three 5-on-3 advantages. Joe Cannata (Wakefield, MA) stopped 24 shots as Merrimack outshot the Terriers 35-26 in game two.

Boston University will be playing in its fourth straight game-three quarterfinal, winning each of the last three game threes. Merrimack is 1-1 career in the decisive game-three.

Tickets for all Merrimack students are available for $15 at the Volpe Box Office from 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Students may also purchase a ticket and a seat on a fan bus that leaves Volpe at 5 p.m. for $20.

Tickets for Sunday's do-or-die game three remain available at the Agganis Arena Box Office by calling 617-353-4628. Merrimack fans should request to sit in the Merrimack fan section.