#11 Hockey Takes on #6 UNH in Big Home-and-Home Series this Weekend
MERRIMACK COLLEGE HOCKEY
Game #27 at #6 New Hampshire, Friday, February 11, 2011, 7 p.m., Whittemore Center / Listen / Follow / Game Notes (.pdf)
Game #28 vs. #6 New Hampshire, Saturday, February 12, 2011, 7 p.m., Lawler Arena / Ticket Info / Watch / Follow
Tonight's Matchup: With wins in 10 of its last 11 games, Merrimack looks to lock up a playoff spot when it begins a home-and-home series with first-place New Hampshire.
Lifetime vs. UNH: The Warriors are 13-64-8 lifetime.
This Season vs. UNH: (UNH leads series 1-0-0):
(11/27/10, @ UNH, L, 2-1): Merrimack outshot UNH 42-27, but Matt DiGirolamo made 41 saves, allowing only a power play goal from Chris Barton.
Merrimack Sets Div. I HEA Record for Wins with 11-2 Victory against UMass
With its 9th win in 10 games, Merrimack picked up its 17th victory and established a new program record for most wins in a single season since joining Hockey East 22 years ago.
Ranking the Warriors' 11-Goal Night in Merrimack, HEA, and NCAA History
The 11 goals scored against UMass are the most for a Merrimack team since it defeated BC 11-5 on Feb. 15, 1997 and are the most scored in any Division I college hockey game since Union had 11 on Feb. 5, 2010. It's also the most goals MC ever scored against UMass, and is the first time a HEA team reached double-digits in goals since UNH had 10 against MC on Jan. 5, 2002.
Barton's Nine-Point Weekend Leads to HEA Player of the Week Honors
The HEA Athletic Republic Player of the Week Chris Barton had nine points last weekend, getting a career-high five on Saturday after tallying a career-high four assists on Friday. Barton, who has 31 points this season, had points on the first eight goals of the weekend. He is the 10th Warrior to reach 100 career points in Merrimack's HEA history and the first since Anthony Aquino in 2002. Barton has 111 career points in 130 career games.
Barton, Cucci Form Dynamic Duo
Barton and Joe Cucci have combined for eight goals and 22 points in the last three games.
Barton, Brodhag, Ellis, Heffernan, Ross Have Career Days
Eleven different Warriors had multi-point efforts in the UMass victory, as Barton (5 points), Brandon Brodhag (3 assists), Brendan Ellis (1st career goal, 2 assists), John Heffernan (2 assists) and Adam Ross (goal, 2 assists) all had career days.
Strong in All Team Statistics
Merrimack ranks tied for 1st in offense in Hockey East and 2nd in defense, power play, and penalty kill. They rank tied for 2nd nationally in offense and penalty kill and 3rd in scoring margin. Merrimack is tied for Hockey East lead in goals scored with 99.
Cucci's Hat Trick Gives #12 Merrimack Thrilling OT Win over Northeastern
Behind a hat trick and the game-winning goal with 28 seconds left in OT from Joe Cucci, Merrimack defeated Northeastern 4-3. For Cucci, the former Husky, it was his second-straight four-point game and his second career hat trick.
5 Season-Series Down; 5 Victories
Through 5 completed season-series, Merrimack has captured all five (BC, BU, NU, UML, UVM).
Seven in a Row on the Road
Merrimack has won seven straight away from North Andover, something the program had not accomplished since 1987 when it was a Division II team.
Back-to-Back Four Assist Nights
After Cucci notched four helpers vs. UVM, Barton followed with four against Northeastern. Merrimack's last four-assist performance was accomplished by Jeff Caron in December of 2004.
There's No Place Like Home
Merrimack is 9-2-1 at home this year and is 21-5-2 since the start of last season. They have played in front of five sellout crowds in 12 home games.
Merrimack Posts Best Month since Joining HEA with UVM Sweep
The Warriors concluded a 7-1 January with their first-ever weekend sweep of Vermont. The seven wins are the most in a month since MC joined HEA.
Power Play Proves Potent
Second in HEA, the power play has struck for 16 goals in its last 8 games.
Todd Tallies Timely Goals
Jesse Todd has a team-high 15 goals, and his four game-winners are tied for 2nd in HEA. Todd, who netted his 25th career goal against UMass, has a 9-game point streak, tallying 13 points and two game-winners in that span.
Stollery Second as Hockey East Leader Among Defenders
Among HEA defensemen, Karl Stollery is second with 20 points.
Strong Combined Special Teams
After tying for first last season, Merrimack ranks third nationally and second in Hockey East in combined special teams.
Da Costa Career-High Point Streak Ends at 12
Da Costa's career-high 12-game point streak was snapped on 1/28. He had 22 points in that span, including two game-winners and a +10. In HEA, Da Costa is tied for 2nd in points with 36 and is 3rd in assists with 23.
Collins' Hat Trick Leads to Rookie of the Week and Month Honors
After netting his 1st collegiate hat trick and a career-high 4 points in the 7-1 win over UVM, Mike Collins was named the HEA Rookie of the Week and of the month of January. Collins completed January with 11 points in 8 games.
Flanigan Finding the Scoreboard
Ryan Flanigan has 13 points in his last 9 games and is 6th on the team with 18 points.
15 Wins in 18 Games; Points in 17 of 20; Seven Straight on Road
The Warriors have won 15 of their last 18 games (15-3-0), have points in 17 of 20 (15-3-2), and have won seven straight away from North Andover.
Scoring in Bunches
After never scoring seven goals in the first five years of Mark Dennehy's coaching tenure, Merrimack has scored seven or more five times this year, which is the most in a season since 1991-92.
Model of Consistency
The Warriors have not lost two straight all year and have allowed just six total goals in five games after a loss.
Season-Series Triumphs over BU and BC
Merrimack captured the season-series over both BU and BC for the 1st time in program history.
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.
Ten Straight Polls and Counting
Merrimack is ranked 11th in the country and has been ranked in 10-straight USCHO polls and 5-straight USA Today polls. Merrimack was never ranked nationally prior to this season.
Cannata Gets First Shutout of Season Against UAH
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 34-29-9. Pure Hockey Defensive Player of the Month for October and runner-up for November, December and January, Cannata ranks 2nd with a 2.12 GAA and 4th with a .921 SV% among HEA goaltenders. Cannata received Defensive Player of the Week honors for the 3rd time this year following the victory over Maine.
Merrimack's Six-Game Win Streak Snapped by Lowell
Merrimack had its six-game winning streak, the longest in its Division I history since joining Hockey East, snapped by Lowell 6-4 at Lawler Arena on January 21. Stephane Da Costa scored twice and added an assist in the loss.
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.
Madsen, Flanigan Lead Offensive Outburst Against UAH
Eight different players had three or more points against Alabama-Huntsville, including Ryan Flanigan and Carter Madsen who set career highs with three points each in the January 15 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 against UAH had points in the 7-0 win. 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.
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.
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.
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 second in HEA with three short-handed points.
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.
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 NU on 12/3 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.
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.
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 Cannata stopped 31 shots as Merrimack defeated #2 BCe 4-2 .
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.
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 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.
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.
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
