#9 Hockey Heads to Vermont for Pair of Games This Weekend
MERRIMACK COLLEGE HOCKEY
Game #5-6 at Vermont, Friday-Saturday, October 28-29, 2011, 7 p.m. Gutterson Field House
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Tonight's Matchup: Off to its best start since 1993-94, Merrimack heads to Vermont for a pair of conference games with the Catamounts.
Lifetime vs. Vermont: Merrimack is 9-11-5 against UVM but is 4-0-2 over the last two years.
Last Season vs. Vermont (MC won series 2-0-1): After tying 2-2 in Vermont in October, the Warriors swept back-to-back games in January at Lawler 2-1 and 7-1, with Mike Collins notching a hat trick in front of a NESN audience.
Merrimack Cracks Top-10 after 4-0 Start
The only undefeated team in Hockey East, Merrimack cracked the top-10, earning a #9 ranking in both polls. Merrimack and BC are the only two HEA teams in the top-10.
Aiming for Best Start in its Hockey East History
Merrimack has not been 5-0 since 1987-88, which predates their time in Hockey East.
Defenders Shine on Offense and Defense
The Warriors' defense has allowed only four goals in four games this year. Perhaps more impressive is that four defenders scored goals last weekend. Merrimack's defense has combined for five goals and 11 points this season.
Nationally Ranked in Team Statistics
Nationally, Merrimack ranks second in goals against, third on the penalty kill, and tied for 10th on the power play. Within Hockey East, they rank first in goals against, first on penalty kill, tied for first on power play and tied for fourth in offense.
Marotta Earns Shutout, Player of the Week Honors in First Start
In his first career start, sophomore Sam Marotta made 25 saves for his first career shutout. Marotta, the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week, also added an assist.
Flanigan Has Points in Every Game; 100th Game Friday
Ryan Flanigan leads Merrimack's deep offense with three goals and five points. He has points in every games this year, and points in 11 straight dating back to last season. The senior assistant captain will play in his 100th career game Friday.
Warriors Open Homecoming with 4-1 Win over Northeastern
Behind goals from Mike Collins, Jordan Heywood, Kyle Bigos and Ryan Flanigan, Merrimack improved to 3-0 with a 4-1 victory over Northeastern.
Warriors Conclude Homecoming with 5-0 Blanking of UConn
Behind multi-point efforts from Elliott Sheen, Jeff Velleca and Brendan Ellis, three power-play goals, and a shutout from Marotta, Merrimack blanked UConn 5-0 to stay perfect.
Sellout Streak Hits Eight
Merrimack has sold out eight straight at Lawler Arena dating back to Feb. 12, 2011.
There's No Place Like Home
Merrimack has won 11 straight at Lawler dating back to last year and is 29-5-2 at home since the start of the 2009-10 season.
75 for Dennehy
Merrimack's win over UConn was the 75th for head coach Mark Dennehy
Bigos, Flanigan Lead the Way
Kyle Bigos notched his second career multi-point game while Ryan Flanigan added a pair of points in a 4-1 win over Northeastern.
Non-Conference Success
The Warriors are now 11-0 in their last 11 non-conference home games, 8-0-1 in their last nine non-conference games, and 21-6-3 in their last 30.
Merrimack Wins Home Opener over Army
Energized by a sellout crowd, Merrimack defeated Army 3-2 behind multi-point efforts from Rhett Bly and John Heffernan. Ryan Flanigan and Karl Stollery also scored in the win as the Warriors outshot Army 40-21, including 19-2 in the second period.
Brodhag-Bly-Heffernan Led the Way Against Army
The line of Brandon Brodhag, Rhett Bly and John Heffernan led the way in the win over Army, combining for 5 points and the game-winner. For Bly, it was his first career two assist and two point game, while Heffernan tallied his second multi-point game.
Warriors Own the Army
Merrimack has won all 13 meetings with Army since becoming a Division I school and all 11 lifetime in North Andover.
Merrimack Opens Season with Rare Road Win at Maine
Behind goals from Jeff Velleca and Jesse Todd and 22 saves from Joe Cannata, the Warriors opened the season with a victory, defeating #16/15 Maine 2-1 in Orono.
Just How Rare Was It?
The win at Maine snapped a 22-game winless streak (0-20-2) in Orono and was just the sixth win lifetime in Maine, two of which were Maine forfeits due to NCAA rules violations.
Three Straight over the Black Bears
Merrimack has defeated Maine in three straight meetings for the first time ever.
Todd Remains Clutch
After ranking second in Hockey East with six game-winners last season, Jesse Todd's shorthanded tally was the game-winner at Maine.
Merrimack Earns Preseason National Ranking for First Time
The Warriors, after being ranked for 16 straight weeks in 2010-11, are ranked in the USCHO Preseason Poll for the first time in school history, ranking No. 15. Prior to last season, Merrimack had never been ranked nationally.
Quick Glance at an Historical 2010-11
Last season was a magical one for the Warriors. Merrimack won a Division I school-record 25 games, reached its first-ever Hockey East Championship and was selected to its first NCAA Tournament since 1988.
Cannata Looks to Finish Strong
After starting all 39 games in 2010-11 and winning a Division I school-record 25 games, Joe Cannata returns for his senior season. A semifinalist for the Walter Brown Award, presented each year to the top American-born college player in New England, Cannata has 45 career wins, tops in school history.
Flanigan-Madsen-Sheen Line Returns for Senior Season
Arguably the most consistent line last season, seniors Ryan Flanigan, Carter Madsen and Elliott Sheen return after combining for 75 points last year, including 25 in the playoffs. Flanigan led all Hockey East players in playoff scoring, while Madsen potted a hat trick in game two against Maine. Sheen tallied the game-winner in game one against Maine and had two goals against UNH in the semifinal.
Strong Combined Special Teams
After tying for first in 2009-10, Merrimack finished last season ranked sixth nationally and second in HEA in combined special teams.
Six Freshmen Debut
While six of Merrimack's newcomers have debuted, incredibly none has registered a point yet, despite combining for 22 shots.
Flanigan Topped Hockey East Players in Postseason Scoring
Ryan Flanigan led all HEA players with 6 goals, 11 points in the postseason. Flanigan finished last season on fire with 14 points in his final seven games.
64% of Offense Returns
While Merrimack loses its top three scorers from last season (Da Costa, Barton, Cucci), 64% of its offense returns, including all players ranked from 4-14 on the 2010-11 team in scoring. Jesse Todd, who led the Warriors with 17 goals and was second in the league with six game-winners, is back for his senior season.
Carr Joins Coaching Staff
Curtis Carr, formerly the head coach and GM of Youngstown (USHL), joined the Merrimack coaching staff in July. Carr replaces Phil Roy, who left for a position as assistant head coach at his alma mater Clarkson.
Warriors Feature Talented Freshman Class
Forwards Josh Myers and Connor Toomey headline Merrimack's nine-member freshman class. Other forwards include Justin Mansfield, Clayton Jardine, Kyle Singleton and Quinn Gould, while Mike Wills and Dan Kolomatis headline the defenders. Finnish goaltender Rasmus Tirronen rounds out the squad. Singleton and Gould, along with Brendan Ellis, played for former Merrimack associate head coach Darren Yopyk at Westside of the BCHL.
Merrimack Reached Garden for First Time Since 1998
Merrimack reached the TD Garden for the first time since 1998. The Warriors swept Maine 2-0 and beat UNH 4-1 in the semis.
Merrimack Hosted HEA Quarterfinal for 2nd Time Ever
For the second time in school history and first time since 1997, Merrimack hosted a playoff series at Lawler and won its first-ever home playoff game.
Division I Hockey East Record 25 Wins, 35 HEA Points
Merrimack set a Division I HEA school record for wins with 25 and for points with 35 in 2010-11.
Nine Straight on the Road is a School Record
Merrimack won nine straight road games from 11/30/10 to 2/18/11, most in program history.
Sudden Death Success
Merrimack went 4-1-4 in OT last season, losing only to Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament. Before losing to Notre Dame, the Warriors won four straight OT games, something they had never before done.
MC Posts Best Month since Joining HEA with UVM Sweep
The Warriors went 7-1 in January 2011 with their first-ever weekend sweep of Vermont. The seven wins are the most in a month since MC joined HEA.
Strong on Opening Night
Merrimack is 7-2-2 in its last 11 home openers.
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 in the 2009-10 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.
Flanigan Named a Lowe's Senior Class Candidate
Ryan Flanigan is one of 20 candidates for the Lowe's Senior Class award. The finalists will be named in February.
Merrimack and WBIN Team Up
Merrimack and WBIN-TV have reached an agreement to broadcast three hockey games live from Lawler Rink during the 2011-12 season. beginning December 17 against Union. Merrimack's three game agreement with WBIN marks the first time in school history that the College has inked its own television package.
2011-12 Captains
Senior defenseman Karl Stollery will serve as this year's captain, while senior forward Ryan Flanigan and sophomore defensman Jordan Heywood will be the alternate captains.
Merrimack Ranked Fifth in HEA Preseason Poll
The Warriors were ranked fifth in the Hockey East Preseason Poll, its highest HEA preseason ranking ever.
Rank Team (1st place votes) Pts
1. Boston College (7) 88
2. Boston University (3) 83
3. New Hampshire 72
4. Maine 64
5. Merrimack 61
6. Vermont 44
7. Massachusetts 42
8. Northeastern 33
9. UMass Lowell 27
10. Providence 26
Ranked Fourth in HEBWA Preseason Poll
They earned the #4 preseason ranking in the Hockey East Broadcast and Writers Media poll.
Rank Team (1st place votes) Pts
1. Boston University (16) 184
2. Boston College (2) 169
3. New Hampshire (1) 141
4. Merrimack 133
5. Maine 126
6. Vermont 88
7. Northeastern 71
8. Massachusetts 64
9. Providence 37
10. UMass Lowell 32
Machnik Honored with Concannon Award
Merrimack radio broadcaster Mike Machnik was named the 2011 winner of the Hockey East Concannon Media Award. Machnik is the first recipient of the award with a Merrimack connection.
Where Are They Now
Five Warriors from last year's senior class continue to play professional hockey. Stephane Da Costa scored his first NHL goal on October 8 against Toronto with Ottawa. Adam Ross, Joe Cucci and Chris Barton will play in the ECHL this season while Francois Ouimet is playing in Europe.
