#9 Merrimack Opens Quarterfinal Series with #14 Maine Friday at 7:30 p.m.
All games at 7:30 p.m. vs. #14 Maine
Complete Coverage: Playoff Central / Preview Video / Media Clips / Game Notes (.pdf)
Game 1, Friday, March 11, 2011 / Watch / Follow
Game 2, Saturday, March 12, 2011 / Listen / Watch on NESN / Follow
Game 3, Sunday, March 13, 2011 (if necessary) / Tickets (on sale after Game 2) / Watch / Follow
Tonight's Matchup: Hosting its second-ever playoff series, Merrimack looks to win its first-ever home playoff game and its first-ever playoff game against Maine.
Lifetime vs. Maine: Merrimack is 12-61-6 lifetime but is 4-2 at home over the last four seasons. Merrimack is 0-3 lifetime against Maine in the playoffs.
This Season vs. Maine: (Maine won series 2-1):
(1/8/11 @ MC, W, 7-1): 12 different Warriors picked up points, led by 3-points each from Da Costa and Barton, as Merrimack scored its most goals against Maine in 32 years.
(2/25/11 @ ME, ME W, 4-0): Dan Sullivan notched the shutout in goal for Maine.
(2/26/11 @ ME, ME W, 7-1): Maine became the first team since February of 2009 to sweep the Warriors in a weekend series.
Merrimack 2010-11 Quick Hits:
-finished fourth in Hockey East, its highest conference finish ever
-set school records for overall wins (22) and Hockey East wins (16)
-defeated every Hockey East team for second time ever and second straight season
-ranked nationally for first time ever, reaching fourth in the polls
-took season-series from seven teams, including BC, UNH and BU
-posted 12-2-1 home record behind eight sellout crowds
-won 9 straight road games, most in school history
-won 7 games in January, setting school record for wins in a month
-has enrollment of 2,080, smallest among all Div. I hockey schools
Merrimack Hosts Hockey East Quarterfinal for 2nd Time Ever
For the second time in school history and first time since 1997, Merrimack hosts a playoff series at Lawler Arena. The Warriors have reached the HEA Semifinals just once (1998) and have never beaten Maine in a playoff game, nor won a home postseason game.
Postseason Hockey for Second Straight Year
After missing the playoffs for five straight years, Merrimack returns to the Hockey East tournament for the second straight season. Merrimack lost to BU in three games last year.
NESN Returns to Lawler Take Two
After not broadcasting at Lawler since 2005, NESN returns for the 2nd time this season on Saturday. This marks the 2nd straight year that Merrimack will be on TV in the postseason.
There's No Place Like Home
Merrimack has won six straight at home, is 12-2-1 this season and is 24-5-2 since the start of last season. They have played in front of eight sellout crowds in 15 home games.
Collins Tops Rookie Leaderboard
Mike Collins earned HEA Co-Rookie of the Week honors with a five-point week. The HEA Rookie of the Month for January, Collins leads all Hockey East rookies with 26 points.
Barton, Cucci, Da Costa Lead Offensive Attack
Merrimack's offense, 2nd in Hockey East, is driven by seniors Chris Barton and Joe Cucci, and Stephane Da Costa. Da Costa leads the Warriors with 39 points in 28 games, while Barton has 38 points. Cucci is tied for the HEA lead with 21 power play points.
Todd Among Hockey East's Most Clutch
Jesse Todd has a team-high 17 goals, and his six game-winners are 2nd in HEA.
Power Play Finds Life
Merrmack's man-advantage was 5-for-10 in the weekend series with PC.
Fabulous Freshmen Defenders
Brendan Ellis and Jordan Heywood both merit Hockey East All-Rookie honors. Heywood leads all Hockey East defenders with a +23 rating and also has 15 points. Ellis is tied for 8th among HEA rookie blueliners with 14 points.
Division I Hockey East Record 22 Wins, 35 HEA Points
Merrimack set a Division I HEA record for wins with 22 and points with 35.
Cannata Winningest Goalie in Program's Division I History
Joe Cannata picked up his 22nd win of the year last Friday, extending his own Division I school record for career wins set on Feb. 19 to 39. Cannata is 2nd with a 2.37 GAA and 5th with a .913 SV% among HEA goaltenders.
Stollery 3rd as Hockey East Leader Among Defenders
Among HEA defensemen, Karl Stollery ranks third with 24 points.
Strong in All Team Statistics
Merrimack ranks 2nd in offense, defense and power play in Hockey East and 3rd on the penalty kill. They rank 5th nationally in win percentage and 6th in scoring margin.
Third Line Anchors Merrimack's Success
Among Merrimack scorers, the third line of juniors Ryan Flanigan-Carter Madsen-Elliott Sheen has been as consistent and important as any. The trio has played together all season and combined for 50 points and a +27 rating. All three are also among Merrimack's top penalty killers.
Collins, Cucci, Flanigan Among Stars in Providence Win
Mike Collins had three assists in the 6-1 win over PC, while Ryan Flanigan had two first-period goals, and Joe Cucci had two PP goals in a :22 span.
Merrimack Earns First-Ever First-Place Vote After Sweep of UMass
Merrimack, 5th in the country in winning percentage, earned its first-ever first-place vote in the February 21 USCHO poll.
Nine Straight on the Road is a School Record
Merrimack won nine straight road games from 11/30 to 2/18, most in program history.
Fast Starters
Merrimack has outscored its opponents 42-22 in the first period.
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.
Barton, Cucci Form Dynamic Duo
Barton and Cucci have combined for 14 goals and 36 points in the last 11 games.
Five Play all 34 Regular Season Games
Joe Cannata, Karl Stollery, Jesse Todd and freshmen Brendan Ellis and Jordan Heywood all played in every regular season game this year.
Madsen's OT Goal Caps Late Comeback at UMass
Merrimack's magical run continued when the Warriors won their 9th straight away game on Feb. 18, 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 OT for the 4-3 win.
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.
Madsen Emerging Offensively
Carter Madsen, one of Merrimack's best defensive players, has emerged offensively, netting a goal in three of the last eight games, including two game-winners. Madsen has seven goals and 14 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 38 points this year, had points on the first eight goals on the weekend of Feb. 4-5. He is the 10th Warrior to reach 100 points in Merrimack's HEA history and first since Anthony Aquino in 2002. Barton has 118 career points in 138 games and ranks 5th in HEA in conference games with 33 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 Merrimack Thrilling OT Win
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 18 points in his last 16 games and is 7th on the team with 23 points.
MC 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. In HEA, Da Costa is 2nd in points and assists per game.
Collins' Hat Trick Leads to Rookie of 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.
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.
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.
Fourteen Straight Polls and Counting
Merrimack has been ranked in 14-straight USCHO polls and 8-straight USA Today polls. Merrimack was never ranked nationally prior to this season.
Cannata Gets First Shutout of Season Against UAH
Cannata stopped 24 shots for his 1st shutout of the season and 5th career. Cannata also was the HEA Defensive Player of the Month for October and runner-up for November, December, and January.
Non-Conference Perfection
The Warriors concluded non-conference play 6-0-1, winning their final 6 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
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 and are the most scored by Merrimack in a HEA game since Jan. 13, 2004 against UNH.
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 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.
50 for Dennehy
The 3-2 win over Lowell was the 50th for Mark Dennehy as Merrimack's head coach.
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.
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.
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.
