#13/14 Hockey Aims for 7th Straight Win and Season Sweep of Lowell Friday
MERRIMACK COLLEGE HOCKEY
Game #22 vs. UMass Lowell, Friday, January 21, 2011, 7 p.m., Lawler Arena / Tickets / Watch / Follow / Game Notes (.pdf)
Tonight's Matchup: Merrimack, winners of a Division I program record six straight, goes for its first-ever season-series sweep of crosstown rival UMass Lowell Friday night.
Lifetime vs. UML: The Warriors are 35-66-8 lifetime against UML and haven't won three straight against their crosstown rivals since 1976-77.
This Season vs. UML: (Merrimack leads series 2-0-0):
(11/19/10 @ UML, W, 4-3): Trailing 3-2 late in the third, Jesse Todd scored twice in a 1:43 span, winning the game with 37-seconds left with his first-ever hat trick.
(11/20/10 @ MC, W, 3-2): Behind 3 first-period goals, including 2 short-handed tallies, Merrimack defeated the River Hawks 3-2, as Mark Dennehy earned his 50th win.
Merrimack Pushes Win Streak to Six , Longest Since Joining Hockey East
The Warriors' 3-2 victory over BU extended their winning streak to 6 games, the longest current winning streak in the country. The Warriors are one of only three teams in the country with 4 or fewer losses. They are tied for 4th in winning percentage.
Flanigan, Velleca Lead Merrimack to 3-2 Win over #15 Boston University
Ryan Flanigan, who has six points in his last four games, had a goal and an assist, while Jeff Velleca scored his 1st goal since opening night as Merrimack built a 3-0 lead and held on for a 3-2 win over BU Tuesday. Joe Cannata stopped 28 shots in the victory.
Warriors Wrap Up Second-Ever Season-Series Victory over BU
The Jan. 18 victory over BU sealed the second-ever season-series win over the Terriers and the first since the 2000-01 campaign. Merrimack went 1-0-2 against BU this year.
Season-Series Triumphs over BU and BC
Merrimack captured the season-series over BU and BC for the 1st time in program history.
Defense 1st in Hockey East, 2nd Nationally; Penalty Kill is Second
Merrimack's defense ranks first in HEA and second nationally with a 2.05 goals-against, while the penalty kill is second in HEA and in the country.
Merrimack Enjoys Best-Ever National Ranking
Merrimack is ranked 13th in the country, its best-ever ranking. They have been ranked in seven-straight USCHO.com polls and two straight USA Today polls after never being ranked in school history.
Stollery is Hockey East Scoring Leader Among Defenders
Among HEA defensemen, Karl Stollery leads in scoring with eighteen points, which ranks him eighth nationally.
Unbeaten in January; 9-2 as a Ranked Team
Merrimack is 5-0 in January and has secured its fourth-straight winning month. They are 9-2 since being ranked.
There's No Place Like Home
Merrimack is 6-1-1 at home this year and is 18-4-2 since the start of last season. They have played in front of four sellout crowds in eight home games this year and are ranked third in HEA in capacity filled.
Todd Leads Team in Goals
Junior Jesse Todd is tied for 3rd in HEA with 12 goals this year and has four in his last three games. He has three game-winners, tied for 2nd in HEA.
Six in a Row on the Road is a Warrior Division I Record
Merrimack has won six straight away from North Andover, something the program had not accomplished since it was a Division II team in 1987.
Non-Conference Perfection
The Warriors concluded non-conference play unbeaten with a 6-0-1 record, winning their final six games after opening with a tie against Niagara.
Da Costa's Point Streak Hits Eleven
After going scoreless for 5 games, Stephane Da Costa has points in 11 straight, getting 19 in that span, including two game-winners and a +12 rating. Da Costa is tied for fourth in points in HEA with 27.
11 Wins in 13 Games; Points in 13 of 15; Six Straight on Road
The Warriors have won 11 of their last 13 games (11-2-0), have points in 13 of 15 (11-2-2), and have won six straight away from North Andover.
40 or More Shots in Four of Five
Merrimack has fired 40 or more shots in four of its last five games.
Madsen, Flanigan Lead Offensive Outburst
Eight different players had three or more points last weekend against Alabama-Huntsville, including Ryan Flanigan and Carter Madsen who set career highs with three points each in Saturday's win. Madsen also scored twice for the first time ever. Todd led all Warriors with three goals and four points, while Jordan Heywood had 12 shots from the blue line.
Rookies Shine on NHL Ice in Nashville
Each of the six Merrimack freshmen that played this past weekend against UAH had points Saturday. Jordan Heywood scored his first goal and posted his first multi-point game, Mike Collins had 3 points, while Rhett Bly and Shawn Bates each tallied a game-winner.
Power Play Proves Potent
The power play struck for 5 goals against UAH last weekend, moving into 3rd in HEA.
Cannata Gets First Shutout of Season
Joe Cannata stopped 24 shots for his 1st shutout of the season and 5th of his career. He now has a winning record in his collegiate career at 30-28-9. The Pure Hockey Defensive Player of the Month for October and runner-up for November and December, Cannata ranks 1st with a 2.00 GAA and 2nd with a .925 SV% among HEA goaltenders. Cannata received Defensive Player of the Week honors for the third time this year following the victory over Maine.
Merrimack Downs #9/11 Maine 7-1
Behind points from 12 players, including three each from Stephane Da Costa and Chris Barton, Merrimack routed #9/11 Maine 7- 1 on January 8. The Hockey East Pure Hockey Co-Defensive Player of the Week Joe Cannata made 29 saves as the Warriors netted the final seven goals.
Most Goals against Maine in 32 Years; in HEA Play Since 2004
The seven goals are the most the Warriors have scored against Maine since the 2nd-ever meeting between the two teams on Jan. 9, 1979, are the most scored by Merrimack in a HEA game since Jan. 13, 2004 against UNH, and are the most ever scored in a HEA game under Mark Dennehy.
Lots of Goals in 2011
Merrimack is 5-0 in January, while scoring 27 goals in five games. They rank third in Hockey East in goals per game this season.
Short-Handed Goals Come in Bunches
For the 2nd time this year, Merrimack scored twice short-handed as Barton and Todd found the net down a man against Maine. Barton is tied for first in HEA with three short-handed points.
Barton Nears 100 Points
Chris Barton has 97 career points in 125 games and could become the first Warrior to reach 100 since Anthony Aquino (2001-02). Barton, who played in 119 straight games, missed his first-ever game on December 4 against Northeastern; but, since returning, has points in four of six.
Making History Down South
Merrimack skated in the first two college hockey games ever played in Tennessee on January 14 and 15, playing UAH at the Bridgestone Arena.
Scoring in 3's
Against Maine, Merrimack struck for three quick goals twice, scoring three in 2:44 in the first period, while getting three in 3:22 in the third.
Strong Combined Special Teams
After tying for first last season, Merrimack ranks eighth nationally and second in Hockey East in combined special teams.
Merrimack Ends RIT's Home Streak with 5-3 Win
Behind the first career hat trick from Stollery and three points from Da Costa, Merrimack handed RIT its first home loss in 12 games dating back to Jan. 30, 2010 with a 5-3 win.
Stollery Named HEA Pro Ambitions Player of the Week
Stollery was named the HEA Pro Ambitions Player of the Week after tallying three goals (even strength, power play, short-handed) and his first-ever four-point game against RIT on Jan. 1, 2011.
Stollery Nets First Hat Trick by Defenseman Since 1997
Merrimack's assistant captain became the first Warrior defenseman to register a hat trick since Darrel Scoville in an 11-5 win over BC on February 15, 1997. Stollery is the first HEA defender to net a hat trick since UMass' Marvin Degon on Jan. 7, 2006.
50 Shots for First Time Since 1998
The Warriors rattled off 50 shots in the 5-3 win at RIT, the most in Hockey East this year, and the most by a Merrimack team since registering 57 against Maine on Jan. 9, 1998.
Todd's OT Goal Gives Merrimack 2-1 OT Victory at Army
Jesse Todd scored 2:34 into OT giving Merrimack the come-from-behind 2-1 win at Army on Dec. 30. The Warriors trailed 1-0 entering the third but a goal from Ryan Flanigan tied the game. Joe Cannata stopped 29 shots.
Merrimack Wins Series against National Champs
The Warriors captured the season series from the Eagles for the first time since 1996-97, defeating the defending National Champion Boston College twice at home.
Success Against the Best
Merrimack has picked up points in four of six games against teams ranked in the top-7, going 2-2-2 this season.
NU Win Gives Senior Class Points at All HEA Arenas
The victory at Northeastern gave the senior class points at all Hockey East arenas. Merrimack entered that game 0-8-1 in its last nine at Matthews Arena, dating back to October of 2003.
Da Costa, Cannata Lead Merrimack to 2-1 Win at NU
Merrimack picked up its fifth win in six games, defeating NU 2-1 on Dec. 3 behind 27 saves from Cannata and the game-winning goal from Da Costa. The Huskies handed the Warriors their first home loss the next night with a 2-1 win.
Warriors Conclude November with 3-1 Win at Harvard
Merrimack concluded November with a 4-2-2 record after beating Harvard 3-1. Karl Stollery had two points while Stephane Da Costa netted the game-winner as they outshot the Crimson 39-15.
First Line Leads Warriors to 5-3 Win over Eagles
Led by six points from the top line, including three points from Da Costa, the Warriors downed BC 5-3 on Nov. 26 at Lawler. Jesse Todd and Joe Cucci also had multi-point games, while Joe Cannata stopped 24 shots.
Warriors See Unbeaten Streak Snapped at #6 UNH
Merrimack's 5-game unbeaten streak, which was tied for the nation's longest current streak, was snapped by #6 UNH 2-1.
Todd Named HEA Player of the Week After Hat Trick
After tallying his first career hat trick, Jesse Todd was named the HEA Athletic Republic Co-Player of the Week on November 22. Trailing 3-2 late in the third, Todd scored twice in a 1:43 span, winning the game with 37 seconds left in regulation.
Ouimet Scores in Victory over BC
Senior Francois Ouimet netted his first goal of the year in a 5-3 victory over BC, his first since October 23, 2009 against UVM.
Spreading Out the Scoring
Incredibly, 24 different Warriors have scored at least a point.
50 for Dennehy
The 3-2 win over Lowell was the 50th for Mark Dennehy as Merrimack's head coach
MC Sweeps UML in Weekend Series for First Time Ever
Merrimack earned its first ever weekend sweep of Lowell, defeating them 4-3 and 3-2. Against the River Hawks, the Warriors have won three straight for the first time since 1977 and will win the season series for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
Stingy Defense
The Warriors allowed just 12 shots (one in the 3rd) against Lowell on Nov. 20, its fewest shots allowed in a game since Jan. 3, 2004 when Princeton managed just eleven.
Short-Handed Success
Merrimack tallied two short-handed first-period goals from Elliott Sheen and Chris Barton in the 3-2 win over UML, marking the 1st time in its HEA history that it scored a pair of short-handed markers in a period. It was also the 1st time they scored a 3-on-5 goal.
Points Against #1 and #2
The Warriors have already earned points against the two top-ranked teams in the country this season. They tied #1 BU twice and defeated #2 BC on October 30.
Recent Success over BC
After going winless in 10 straight against BC at home, Merrimack has won three straight.
Avoiding Sweeps
Merrimack has not been swept in a weekend home-and-home Hockey East series since February 27-28 of 2009.
Sellout Crowd Sees Merrimack Defeat #2 BC 4-2
Joe Cucci and Carter Madsen each had two points while Joe Cannata stopped 31 shots as Merrimack defeated #2 Boston College 4-2 at Lawler Arena on October 30.
Defeating the Highest Ranked Team in Dennehy Era
Merrimack's win over BC marks the defeat of the highest ranked team under Dennehy. Merrimack has knocked off the defending National Champion in each of the last two seasons.
Boston Native Gets First Two Goals Against Terriers
Boston native Mike Collins scored the lone goal for the Warriors, his first collegiate tally, in a 1-1 tie at #1 BU and added a power-play marker the next night in the 3-3 draw.
Merrimack Defeats Under-20 Sweden Team 4-1
Behind two goals from Mike Collins and 25 saves from Sam Marotta, Merrimack defeated the Under-20 Sweden National Team 4-1 in an exhibition game at Lawler Arena.
Merrimack in Exhibition Games
The Warriors improved to 2-1 in the last three years in exhibition games. In 2008-09, they lost to McGill 2-1 before defeating the United States Under-18 National Team 4-2.
Merrimack Opens HEA Play with 2-2 Tie at Vermont
Behind goals from Chris Barton and Shawn Bates, his first collegiate goal, Merrimack opened Hockey East play with a 2-2 tie at Vermont on October 23.
Merrimack Wins Big in Home Opener
Before a crowd of 2,501 fans, including a record-showing of 634 students (about 40% of the student body), Merrimack opened the renovated Lawler Rink with a 7-1 victory over the University of Connecticut on Homecoming Weekend.
Non-Conference Home Winning Streak Reaches Nine
The Warriors are 9-0 in their last nine non-conference home games and 19-6-3 in their last 28 non-conference games.
Strong on Opening Night
Merrimack is now 7-1-2 in its last 10 home openers.
Barton a Finalist for Lowe's Senior Class Award
Chris Barton is one of 20 finalists for the Lowe's Senior Class Award and one of just four from Hockey East.
2009-10 Team Records Recap
*Merrimack won 12 HEA games, most in school history.
*Merrimack tallied 26 points in HEA games, most under Dennehy.
*Merrimack was not swept in a two-game HEA series for the first time in school history.
NESN Comes to North Andover
For the first time since 2005, NESN will broadcast a game live from Lawler Rink when Merrimack battles UVM on January 29. This marks the first game televised at Merrimack since Niagara broadcasted its game at Lawler in October of 2007.
NHL Draftees
For the first time since 2002, Merrimack had two players selected in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Kyle Bigos was picked in the fourth round (99th overall) by Edmonton, while Joe Cannata was picked in the sixth round (173rd overall) by Vancouver.
Merrimack in 40+ Save Performances
Incredibly, over the last three seasons, Merrimack is 4-1-2 when its goaltender stops 40 or more shots. Joe Cannata stopped 40+ shots last season with his 42-save shutout effort at UMass. He stopped 40+ shots in the 2008-09 season when he recorded 44 saves at Army.
Camrose Connection
Chris Barton, Karl Stollery, and Jesse Todd all played junior hockey with the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL. The trio helped Camrose to two straight AJHL and Doyle Cup Championships in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
BCHL Connections
Kyle Bigos and newcomer Mike Collins both played for Vernon of the BCHL, winning a RBC Cup together in 2009 and Collins winning it again with Vernon in 2010. Freshman Brendan Ellis played for Westside in 2009-10 and was coached by former Merrimack Associate Coach Darren Yopyk. Jordan Heywood also played in the BCHL, with Victoria.
2010-11 Hockey East Preseason Coaches Poll
The Warriors were picked to finish seventh in this year's preseason poll, voted on by the coaches of Hockey East.
Rank Team (1st place votes) Pts.
1. Boston College (9) 90
2. Maine (1) 80
3. New Hampshire 76
4. Boston University 59
5. Northeastern 54
6. Vermont 53
7. MERRIMACK 48
8. UMass-Lowell 33
9. Massachusetts 26
10. Providence 21
2010-11 Hockey East Writers and Broadcasters Poll
The Warriors were picked fifth in the first-ever HEWBA poll.
Rank Team (1st place votes) Pts.
1. Boston College (20) 218
2. Maine (2) 190
3. New Hampshire 168
4. Boston University 141
5. MERRIMACK 127
6. Vermont 120
7. Northeastern 103
8. UMass-Lowell 63
9. Massachusetts 44
10. Providence 36
Merrimack Teams Up with Pack Network and America One
For the third straight year, all Merrimack home games will be webcast live online at merrimackathletics.com courtesy of America One Networks. Pack Networks will produce Merrimack's home games, providing multiple camera angles, instant replay, graphics and post-game video highlights. John Leahy and Mike Machnik return to call all Merrimack games live online and on the radio at 1400 AM.
