Merrimack and Boston University Open Hockey East Quarterfinals Friday at 7:30 p.m.
MERRIMACK COLLEGE HOCKEY
Hockey East Quarterfinals at Boston University, Friday-Sunday, March 15-17, 2013, Agganis Arena
Thursday Practice Highlights
Tickets / Fan Buses Leave Friday at 4 p.m. / Friday's Fan Fest / Watch / Listen / Follow / Twitter / Game Notes (.pdf)
GAME TIMES: Game 1, 7:30 p.m.; Game 2, 7 p.m.; Game 3 (if necessary), 4:30 or 5 p.m.
Tonight's Matchup: In the Hockey East playoffs for the fourth straight season, Merrimack looks to advance to the Hockey East Semifinals with a series win over Boston University.
Lifetime vs. BU: Merrimack is 15-78-6 lifetime and just 2-13-1 at Agganis. Merrimack is 3-5 lifetime against the Terriers in the postseason and 1-2 at Agganis Arena.
This Season vs. BU: (BU leads series 3-0)
Regular Season Summary: Defeating Merrimack by scores of 3-1, 4-1, and 5-2, BU became the first Hockey East team to take all six points against Merrimack since the 2008-09 season. Jordan Heywood scored both goals in a 5-2 loss at Agganis. Wade Megan had four assists and six points against Merrimack this season, while Matt Nieto tallied three goals and four points.
Join the Battle
Merrimack opens up Hockey East postseason action tonight against third-seeded Boston University. After missing the playoffs for five straight seasons, the Warriors are in the Hockey East playoffs for the fourth straight season. Merrimack won the same number of league games this season as last when they were 13-9-5 in Hockey East.
Sixth-Place Finish
Picked to finish eighth in the Hockey East preseason coaches' poll, Merrimack finished sixth. Only BU, BC, UNH and Merrimack have finished in the top six in each of the last four seasons.
Playoff History with Boston University, Agganis Arena
This marks the fifth playoff series between Merrimack and BU, with BU winning three series and holding a 5-3 advantage in playoff games. All eight games were played at BU, three at Agganis. In 2009-10, BU won in three, after Merrimack won its first playoff game in Game 2 since they defeated the Terriers in 1998 as the #8 seed en route to its first-ever semifinal. Tonight is the 15-year anniversary of Merrimack upsetting then #1 BU in 1998.
Deja Vu for the Seniors
Merrimack's senior class was part of the sixth-seeded Warriors team that went to BU for the quarters in 2010. Brandon Brodhag tied for the team-lead in scoring in the three-game series with two points. Kyle Bigos and John Heffernan also played in all three games of the series.
Merrimack at a Glance
Merrimack enters the playoffs with just one win in its last seven games (1-5-1). Seven games ago, they were alone in first place. Led by Mike Collins offensively, the Warriors have managed just four goals in those losses. Merrimack's lineup will likely consist of two or fewer seniors and 12 underclassmen. The Warriors defeated every Hockey East team this year except BU.
History of the #6 Seed
The #6 seed has won 8 of 28 all-time HEA quarterfinal series and is 12-38 overall. The #6 seed last won a series in 2011 when NU defeated BU in three. MC has never won a series as the #6 seed.
Merrimack and Jack Parker
Jack Parker is 72-14-6 in his career against Merrimack. He won his 800th game at Lawler in 2009.
Penalty Kill's 3rd in Hockey East; 13th Nationally
Ranked 3rd in HEA and 13th nationally, Merrimack's penalty kill had killed 35 straight and 28 overall before seeing the streaks snapped on 3/3. They were perfect on the penalty kill in February.
Collins Second in Hockey East Scoring Race; Highest Finish by Warrior Ever
With 32 points, Mike Collins finished second in the Hockey East scoring race, the highest finish by a Warrior in Merrimack's Hockey East history. Collins has more points (37) than any Warrior since 2001-02 other than Stephane Da Costa, who had 45 in 2010-11. He has 18 more points than any other Warrior and has 11 points in the first and last minute of a period, most nationally.
Recent Hockey East Playoff History
Merrimack's senior class is the first to make the playoffs in all four seasons under Mark Dennehy. Let's take a look at their Hockey East postseason history.
2009-10: As the #6 seed, Merrimack won its first playoff game since 1997 before losing in three games to #3 BU. Merrimack lost 3-2 in Game 1, won 3-2 in OT in Game 2 and lost 3-0 in Game 3.
2010-11: At home for the quarterfinals, #4 Merrimack swept #5 Maine, with 5-4 and
6-2 victories. At the Garden for the second-time ever, Merrimack downed #2 UNH 4-1, before falling to #1 BC 5-3 in its first-ever Hockey East championship game.
2011-12: As the #5 seed, Merrimack took #4 Maine to three games, winning 5-2 in Game 2 in front of a large Merrimack contingent but lost Games 1 and 3 by scores of 2-1.
Marotta among Elite HEA Goaltenders; Named Goalie of the Month
Starting in 15 of the final 16 games, Sam Marotta is third in Hockey East in goals-against (2.18) and in save percentage (.927). His 51 saves against UNH were the most by a MC goaltender since Andrew Braithwaite had 50 against PC on 2/2/08. Marotta was the HEA Goaltender of the Month for February.
Heywood Anchors the Defense
Jordan Heywood is second on the team with 19 points. Leading MC in ice time, Heywood is tied for fourth in scoring among HEA defensemen. He is the first MC defender to have two multi-goal games in a season since Bryan Schmidt in 2004-05.
Bates Leads Second Line
Shawn Bates has nine points in his last ten games and has anchored the 2nd line. Bates is third on the Warriors with seven goals and 17 points.
Toomey's OT Goal Gives Merrimack 4-3 Win over UMass Despite Wild Finish
Merrimack led 2-0 and 3-1 in the third period; but, facing elimination, UMass scored twice with the goaltender pulled and once with him skating to the bench, with Rocco Carzo scoring at 19:19 of the third to tie the game. Connor Toomey won the game at 1:45 in OT, scoring off a rebound from a Brendan Ellis shot. For Toomey, it was his second overtime winner of the season and third of his career.
Senior Class is Most Successful Class in D1 History
The senior class of Kyle Bigos, Nick Drew, Brandon Brodhag and John Heffernan is the most successful class in Merrimack's Div. I history with 74 wins, surpassing the record set by last year's class (68). With a 74-56-19 career record, the class of 2013 is the first class to make the playoffs in all four seasons since HEA expanded from 8 teams.
100 for Dennehy
Mark Dennehy recorded his 100th career win at Merrimack against UML (2/1/13), and is now third all-time with 104 in his career. Ron Anderson is the program's all-time wins leader with 255 and the all-time Division I leader with 114 wins. Anderson's final win was against BU 15 years ago tonight in the Hockey East Quarterfinals.
Four in the Net
Merrimack scored four goals for the first time since February 10 when they beat UMass 4-2. Eleven different Warriors had points, with Jordan Heywood notching a goal and an assist. Sam Marotta had 37 saves, including 18 in the second.
This Is Our House
After struggling early, the Warriors are 6-2 in their last eight at Lawler and are 9-6-3 at home this season and 44-16-8 in their last four seasons.
Season Series Update
The Warriors went 5-3-1 in season-series, with wins over Maine, NU, UMass, UNH and UVM. Merrimack registered a win against all league teams but BU.
3rd Period Outburst Gives Lowell 4-0 Win; Quick Start Gives UML Weekend Sweep
Scoreless after two for the second straight meeting between MC and UML, Adam Chapie and Derek Arnold scored 2:40 apart in the third before UML added two empty netters for the 4-0 win. Two days later, Josh Holmstrom scored two first-period goals as Lowell completed the weekend sweep with a 3-1 win. Shawn Bates scored Merrimack's lone goal of the weekend.
First Shutout in 42 Games
The 4-0 loss to Lowell marked the first time Merrimack was shutout in 42 games, dating back to a 3-0 loss at Tsongas on February 10, 2012. Merrimack was then shutout on March 9 by UMass in Amherst, losing 3-0.
BU First Team to Take All Six Points from Merrimack since 2008-09
Merrimack went 0-3 against BU this season. It's the first time the Warriors have failed to get any points against a Hockey East team since UML and NU in 2008-09.
Streaking Warriors
Prior to its season-high four-game losing streak, Merrimack went 4-2-1 in both January and February. Merrimack is currently 1-5-1 in its last seven.
Merrimack Drops Second Straight Game; Falls 5-2 to #19 Boston University
Merrimack surrendered three first-period goals and fell behind 5-0 after two in the loss to BU. The loss also marked the first time all season that MC made a goaltending change during a game as Rasmus Tirronen relieved Marotta after one period.
#4 BC Snaps Merrimack's Five-Game Unbeaten Streak in OT
Quinn Smith scored the game-winning goal in OT giving #4 BC the 2-1 OT win and the season series over Merrimack. Merrimack outshot the Eagles 44-28, including 20-7 in the first. Just nine days earlier, Merrimack defeated BC 2-1 in OT at Lawler.
Hockey East Postseason Berth Clinched
Merrimack has clinched a league postseason berth for the fourth straight season. The class of 2013 is the first Merrimack senior class to make the playoffs in all four seasons under Mark Dennehy.
Sunday Schedule
Merrimack concluded a stretch in which they played on four straight Sundays and did not play on four straight Saturdays.
Scotti's PP, SH Goals Give Merrimack Hard-Fought Tie at Providence
Vinny Scotti notched his first-career two-goal game, scoring shorthanded with 4:56 to play with Merrimack on a five-minute penalty kill to give the Warriors a hard-fought 2-2 tie with PC. Scotti is fourth on the Warriors in goals with six.
Merrimack Moves into First After Thrilling OT Win over #4 BC
Connor Toomey scored on the power play at 4:29 of overtime, sending Merrimack into first place after a 2-1 OT win over BC. John Heffernan tied the game with 7:03 to play in regulation and Marotta had 39 saves in the win. For BC, the loss was just its fifth in the last four years after February 1. BC's senior class is 2-4 career at Lawler.
Toomey an Eagle Killer
Connor Toomey's 2/15 overtime goal against BC was his first goal since 1/5. The sophomore, who had both goals in a 2-2 tie with BC last year, has three career goals in five games against BC.
Strong Third Periods
Merrimack has outscored its opponents 39-28 in the third this season, netting three third-period tallies against Union, Alaska-Anchorage, Vermont, NU and Army. MC was 0-7-1 this season when trailing after two, but they came back in both games on 2/15-17 (BC, PC) to earn a win and a tie and are now 1-10-2 when down after two.
Strong Against the Best
Merrimack is 4-3 against teams ranked in the top-five nationally.
Merrimack Stays Hot, Downs UMass 4-2
Josh Myers scored the game-winner with 5:47 to play as Merrimack downed UMass 4-2. Justin Mansfield, Quinn Gould and Mike Collins also scored, as Merrimack outshot UMass 41-18. Merrimack has beaten UMass eight straight times at Lawler.
Four-Point Weekend Sends Merrimack Back into National Rankings
Following a sweep of two nationally-ranked teams (Lowell, UNH), MC returned to the national polls (2/4) for the first time since the second week of the season.
Marotta, Hussar Earn Hockey East Weekly Honors on 2/4
Sam Marotta stopped 76-of-77 shots in wins against Lowell and UNH to earn HEA Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Justin Hussar was the HEA Rookie of the Week after scoring in the 1-0 win over Lowell.
Season-Series over UNH
Merrimack captured the season-series over UNH and has won in Durham in each of the last three seasons. The 4-1 win at UNH is the first against a team in the top-4 nationally on the road under Dennehy.
MC Ends UML's 2-Month, 11-Game Unbeaten Streak with 1-0 Win
Justin Hussar scored the lone goal in the 3rd and Marotta made 25 saves as Merrimack defeated #12/13 Lowell 1-0 (2/1). The win ended UML's two-month, 11-game unbeaten streak. Merrimack blocked eleven 3rd-period shots and killed a 6-on-3 in the final 34 seconds for the win.
Rare 1-0 Victory
The 1-0 win against UML was MC's first by that score since Joe Cannata's first career start at Army on 10/18/08.
Heywood Skates in 113th Straight Game Tonight
Captain Jordan Heywood will play in his 113th straight game tonight.
Collins Earns Hockey East Monthly Honors
Junior Mike Collins had 11 points in January, as Merrimack went 4-2-1. The junior was rewarded by being named the Athletic Republic Player of the Month for January.
Defensemen Are Offensive
Merrimack's defense has combined for 68 points. Jordan Heywood is tied for fourth among defenders with 15 league points, while 4 of the 12 Warriors with 10 or more points are defensemen.
First Win over Top-4 Team since 2010
The 1/25 win over UNH was the first over a top-4 ranked team since beating #2 BC on 10/30/10.
Merrimack Earns Weekend Split with #4 New Hampshire
Brian Christie had his first-career three-point game, netting the game-winner :07 into the third, leading Merrimack to a 3-2 win over #4 UNH on 1/25 before the Wildcats evened the series with a 6-2 victory on 1/26 at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Mike Collins recorded his second-straight three-point game and had a pair of goals in front of the third-straight sellout at Lawler Arena.
Merrimack Earns Win, Tie at Alfond for First-Ever Three-Point Weekend in Maine
Following a 1-1 tie behind 30 saves from Sam Marotta, Mike Collins had three assists and Rhett Bly scored the game-winner as Merrimack earned its first-ever three-point weekend at Alfond. The Warriors took the season-series from Maine 2-0-1 in an eight-day span. The Warriors are 7-2-2 in their last 11 meetings with the Black Bears.
Spread-Out Offense Ignites 6-0 Victory
Eleven different players had points in the win over Maine, while four, Mike Collins, Kyle Bigos, Brendan Ellis and Connor Toomey, had multi-point efforts.
Plenty of Overtime
Seven games at home this year have required more than 60 minutes. Merrimack is 2-2-6 in OT this season.
Merrimack Falls to #8 Boston University 4-1 in Return Home
After a month away from Lawler, Merrimack suffered its worst home loss since 2/3/12, falling to #8 BU 4-1 (1/11). The Terriers scored the game's first four goals. Merrimack outshot BU 38-24 in the loss.
