Links: Box Score
Postgame Comments:
Dennehy //
Tavernier
ORONO, Maine – Sophomore
Sami Tavernier sent the Merrimack College men's ice hockey team home with a series split after scoring in overtime to lift the Warriors over the University of Maine, 3-2, on Saturday night at Alfond Arena.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 3, Maine 2 (F/OT)
Records: Merrimack (8-16-4, 5-12-2 HEA) | #RV/-- Maine (15-10-4, 9-7-3 HEA)
Location: Alfond Arena | Orono, Maine
Game Duration: 2:30
Rapid Recap
- Merrimack had all the momentum out of the gate, generating two power play chances in the first eight minutes of the game while outshooting the hosts by a wide margin. Sophomore Tyler Drevitch tipped in a shot in front to get the Warriors on the board just past the five-minute mark, but Maine converted its first power play to draw even late in the frame to make it a 1-1 affair after one.
- After allowing its first shorthanded goal of the year last night, Merrimack flipped the script early in the second period, as senior Brett Seney put the Warriors back on top with a shorthanded salvo. A back-and-forth period ensued from there on out, but despite Maine hitting a cross bar and Seney being denied on a breakaway late in the period, the score stayed 2-1 in favor of the visitors heading to the third.
- After being held to 17 shots through the first two periods, Maine had 19 in the third period alone and would eventually draw even. Junior Drew Vogler stopped a breakaway early in the period, but the Black Bears cashed in on a power play midway through the frame to send the game to overtime for the second straight night.
- But it would be Tavernier who won it for the visitors and snap a five-game losing streak, burying his second overtime winner of the year with just over 1:30 left.
Scoring Summaries
- Goal #1 (MC, 1-0): Drevitch put the Warriors in front after tipping in a shot in front 5:10 into the game for his second of the season. Just after a Merrimack power play expired, sophomore Patrick Kramer retrieved the puck below the far circle and found senior Aaron Titcomb at the right point. Titcomb skated in and sent shot toward the net that Drevitch redirected for the early go-ahead goal.
- Goal #2 (UME, 1-1): Tim Doherty drew the hosts level while on the power play at 15:02 of the first, netting his eighth of the year. It was Nolan Vesey who set up the play after tipping a clearing attempt from a Merrimack skater; the puck went straight up and came right back down to him, and with nearly everyone assuming the puck was headed out of the zone, he found Doherty at the back post for a wide-open one-timer.
- Goal #3 (MC, 2-1): Seney's second goal of the weekend, 11th of the year was also the team's first shorthanded tally of the season, and it restored the Warriors' lead just 2:22 into the second. Senior Aaron Titcomb cleared the puck from behind his own net; the puck took a bounce at the left point and Seney used his speed to collect it in the neutral zone. The winger unleashed a shot from the near circle that beat Maine goaltender Jeremy Swayman over the right shoulder.
- Goal #4 (UME, 2-2): Fossier tied the game with Maine on the power play 12:44 into the third. He tipped in a Patrick Holway pass from the right circle in front.
- Goal #5 (MC, 3-2): Tavernier walked it off for the second time this year, taking a long stretch pass from senior Jared Kolquist and beating Swayman blocker side to give the Warriors the victory in overtime.
Notes and Notables
- Tavernier scored his second overtime winner of the season after also doing so at Connecticut on Jan. 5.
- Merrimack has now played in three consecutive overtime games for the first time since Feb. 15-24, 2013. The Warriors went 1-1-1 during that span with a split against Boston College and a tie against Providence.
- Merrimack saw its all-time record with Maine improve to 22-69-9 all-time, including a 10-41-3 mark in Orono.
- Merrimack remained unbeaten when holding a lead after two periods, moving to 5-0-1 on the year. The Warriors also moved to 4-5-4 when scoring fist.
- Merrimack improved to 8-2-2 when lighting the lamp three or more times compared to 0-14-2 when being held to two goals or fewer.
- Goaltenders: Drew Vogler (36 saves, 1-6-2) // Jeremy Swayman (33 saves, 12-6-3)
- Power Plays: Merrimack (0-5) | UME (2-5)
- Shots on Goal (MC-UME): 15-8 // 12-9 // 8-19 // 1-2 – 36-38
Merrimack Lineup
Forwards
Petti | L. Larsson | McBride
Hennig | Seney | Tavernier
Babcock | A. Larsson | Irvine
Bales | Kramer | Drevitch
Defense
Biega | Cook
Kolquist | Titcomb
Dockery | Carle
Goaltenders
Vogler | Pantano | Halladay
Up Next
Merrimack will have one of its quickest turnaround this season when it travels to UMass to conclude the season series on Tuesday (Feb. 6) night. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
