NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack Warriors travel to Minnesota for one of the longest road trips of the season to take on Minnesota State of the WCHA for two games in Mankato.
Merrimack is coming off a home weekend series against Vermont that ended with a point in the conference standings. In 2019-20, the Warriors have only played two road games thus far, taking a loss at Boston College and a tie at Boston University. The Warriors offense has been spread out this season, with four players tallying at least two goals. Each of the team's seven power play goals have each come from a different contributor as well.
In goal, the Warriors have been led by senior Lea-Kristine Demers, who has started in eight of the team's nine games this season, including every Hockey East contest. Demers has a strong .892 save percentage and has already faced 260 shots this season.
Five Things to Know:
• Senior
Mikyla Grant-Mentis leads the team in goals and points, with six goals and three helpers through nine games this season. She is seven points away from being the second-ever Merrimack player to score 100 career points.
• Sophomore Keisha DiCaire continues to pace the offense as the top line's left wing, scoring a goal and two assists in the team's 4-4 tie against Vermont.
• Three Warriors are in the top five in Hockey East for blocked shots this season.
Gabby Jones leads all players in the conference with 23, followed behind
Chloe Cook and
Julia MacLean tied for third in Hockey East with 21 blocks.
• In all conference games so far, Merrimack opponents have put at least 30 shots on goal. Last weekend, Vermont combined for 68 shots on net. Overall, the Warriors averages 32.1 shots against per game.
• This series will be the first time the Warriors and Mavericks will face off, but Merrimack has a 2-4-0 record against WCHA teams, with wins against Minnesota in 2017 and St. Cloud State in 2016.
A Look at the Mavericks:
Minnesota State returns home to take on Merrimack, following a weekend sweep at St. Cloud State last weekend. The Mavericks have split their games evenly this year, holding a 4-4-2 overall record, including an overtime and shootout win. Merrimack and Minnesota State have both played Rensselaer, with the Mavericks defeating the Engineers 4-0 and 3-0 on the road to open the season.
Three different Mavericks have scored three goals, with Mariah Gardner leading the team in goals (3) and points (6). In goal, Minnesota State has split time between sophomore Abigail Levy, with a 1.96 GAA and a 2-2-1 record, and freshman Calla Frank, with a 2.95 GAA and the same record.
Inside the Matchup
| Merrimack (2-5-2, 0-5-2 HEAW) |
Category |
Minnesota State (4-4-2, 2-4-2 WCHA) |
| 6-2 L (10/26 vs Vermont) |
Last Game |
4-1 W (10/26 at St. Cloud State) |
| 1.89 |
Scoring Offense |
2.00 |
| 3.33 |
Scoring Defense |
3.10 |
| 25.4 |
Shots/Game |
28.3 |
| 32.1 |
Shots Allowed/Game |
32.6 |
| 7-38 |
PPG-Chances |
4-30 |
| 18.4% |
PP% |
13.3% |
| 30-39 |
PK-Chances |
36-41 |
| 76.9% |
PK% |
87.8% |
| 41-96 |
Penalties-PIM |
43-86 |
| 10.7 |
PIM/Game |
8.6 |
Up Next
Merrimack will return home for another Hockey East contest as Maine comes to town for a single game on Friday, November 8 with puck drop at 2 p.m.
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For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
