#4 Hockey Can Clinch Home Ice with a Point at #16 Maine This Weekend
MERRIMACK COLLEGE HOCKEY
Game #31-32 at #16 Maine, Friday-Saturday, February 25-26, 2011, Alfond Arena / Listen / Follow / Game Notes (.pdf) / Media Clips
Tonight's Matchup: Merrimack, winners of 14 of its last 15 games, can clinch a Hockey East home-ice postseason berth for the second time ever with a point in tonight's game.
Lifetime vs. Maine: Merrimack is 12-59-6 lifetime and 5-34-2 in Orono.
This Season vs. Maine: (MC leads series 1-0):
(1/8/11 @ MC, W, 7-1): 12 different Warriors picked up points, led by 3-point efforts from Stephane Da Costa and Chris Barton, as Merrimack scored its most goals against Maine in 32 years.
Merrimack Earns First-Ever First-Place Vote After Weekend Sweep of UMass
Merrimack, 2nd in the country in winning percentage, moved up to 4th in both the USCHO and USA Today polls, earning its first-ever first-place vote. They are tied for 4th in Pairwise.
One More Point to Clinch Home Ice
Tied for the fewest losses nationally, Merrimack needs one more point to clinch home ice in the HEA Quarterfinals for the second time in school history. With wins in eight straight, the Warriors are tied with BC for 2nd in Hockey East, two points behind 1st place UNH.
Cannata Becomes Winningest Goalie in Program's Division I History
Joe Cannata picked up his 21st win of the season and 38th of his career with the 2-1 win over UMass, setting a Division I school record for career wins. Cannata ranks 1st with a 2.10 GAA and 4th with a .922 SV% among HEA goaltenders.
7 Season-Series Down; 7 Victories
Through seven completed season-series, Merrimack has captured all seven (UNH, BC, BU, NU, UML, UVM, UMass). With two series left, the Warriors lead Maine and trail Providence.
Nine Straight on the Road is a School Record
Merrimack has victories in nine straight road games, most in the program's history.
Fabulous Freshmen
Mike Collins, Brendan Ellis and Jordan Heywood all merit Hockey East All-Rookie honors. Collins is tied for 1st among HEA rookies with 10 goals, while Ellis is 4th among HEA rookie blueliners with 14 points. Heywood leads all HEA players with a +23 rating.
Division I Hockey East Record 21 Wins, 33 Hockey East Points
With four regular season games remaining, Merrimack already has set the program's Division I HEA record for wins with 21 and for points with 33.
Strong in All Team Statistics
Merrimack ranks 1st in defense in Hockey East and 2nd in offense, power play, and penalty kill. They rank 2nd nationally in win percentage and defense and tied for 3rd in scoring margin.
Offensive Outbursts
Merrimack's offense is on fire with 35 goals in its last 7 games. The Warriors rank 4th nationally and 2nd in Hockey East in scoring at 3.73 goals per game.
Todd Among Hockey East's Most Clutch
Jesse Todd has a team-high 16 goals, and his 5 game-winners are 2nd in HEA.
Madsen's OT Goal Caps Late Comeback at UMass
Merrimack's magical run continued last weekend as the Warriors won their ninth straight game away from North Andover, scoring four times in the final 12:22. Joe Cucci tied it with 1:22 to play, and Carter Madsen won it 25 seconds into overtime for the 4-3 win.
Sudden Death Success
Merrimack has won its last four OT games and is 4-0-4 this season in OT. They have never before won four straight OT games and haven't won four in a season since 1993-94.
There's No Place Like Home
Merrimack is 11-2-1 at home this year and is 23-5-2 since the start of last season. They have played in front of 7 sellout crowds in 14 home games this year.
Heywood's Career Day Leads to OT Win
Heywood scored 1:46 into OT on 2/12 against UNH and added assists on Merrimack's other two goals for a career-high three-point game.
Cannata, Heywood Earn Hockey East Weekly Honors
Joe Cannata was named Athletic Republic Player of the Week, his fourth weekly honor, and Jordan Heywood was named the Co-Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week for their play against UNH. Merrimack also earned HEA and College Hockey News Team of the Week honors after the sweep of UNH.
Stollery Tied for 2nd as Hockey East Leader Among Defenders
Among HEA defensemen, Karl Stollery is tied for second with 22 points.
Barton, Cucci Form Dynamic Duo
Chris Barton and Joe Cucci have combined for 11 goals and 29 points in the last 7 games.
Madsen Emerging Offensively
Carter Madsen, one of Merrimack's best defensive players, has emerged offensively, netting a goal in three of the last four games, including two game-winners. Madsen has seven goals and 13 points this season after tallying only 10 points over his first two seasons.
Ranking the Warriors' 11-Goal Night in School, 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.
Success Against the Best
Merrimack has picked up points in six of eight games against teams ranked in the top-7, going 4-2-2 this season.
Barton Hits 100 Career Points
Chris Barton, who has 34 points this season, had points on the first eight goals on the weekend of February 4-5. 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 114 career points in 134 career games and ranks third in Hockey East in scoring in conference games with 29 points.
Barton, Brodhag, Ellis, Heffernan, Ross Have Career Days
11 different Warriors had multi-point efforts in the UMass win, 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.
Cucci's Hat Trick Gives #12 Merrimack Thrilling OT Win over NU
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.
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.
Flanigan Finding the Scoreboard
Ryan Flanigan has 15 points in his last 13 games and is 7th on the team with 20 points.
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.
Strong Combined Special Teams
After tying for first last season, Merrimack ranks fifth 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 6th in points with 36 and tied for 5th 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 four 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.
19 Wins in 22 Games; Points in 21 of 24
The Warriors have won 19 of their last 22 games (19-3-0), have points in 21 of 24 (19-3-2).
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.
MC Wraps Up 2nd-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.
Twelve Straight Polls and Counting
Merrimack has been ranked in 12-straight USCHO polls and 7-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 38-29-9. Pure Hockey Defensive Player of the Month for October and runner-up for November, December, and January, Cannata ranks 1st with a 2.10 GAA and 4th with a .922 SV% among HEA goaltenders.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Avoiding Sweeps
Merrimack has not been swept in a weekend home-and-home Hockey East series since February 27-28 of 2009.
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.
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.
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 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.
