Links: Box Score
Video: Scott Borek Postgame Comments
LOWELL, Mass. – The Merrimack College men's hockey team gave up a pair of early goals and could not recover in a 6-4 loss to #13/13 UMass Lowell Saturday night at Tsongas Center.
The River Hawks scored twice in the game's opening seven minutes and the Warriors were unable to come back in the second setback of the weekend. Merrimack had a dramatic comeback attempt late in the third period, but still fell a couple goals shy.
The Basics
Score: #13/13 UMass Lowell 6,
Merrimack 4
Records: Merrimack (5-16-2, 3-8-2 HEAM) | UMass Lowell (13-6-4, 7-3-3 HEAM)
Game Duration: 2:20
Attendance: 4,219
How It Happened
- The teams traded chances in the early going, but the River Hawks got the icebreaker, as Chris Schutz scored just four minutes in to stake the home side to the lead. Lowell got the game's first power play not long after and converted on a Connor Sodergren shot to double up on its lead. The Warriors swung momentum towards the end of the frame and finished with a 10-5 edge in shots on goal, but couldn't beat River Hawk netminder Tyler Wall.
- Lowell's power play struck again early in the second period on a Charlie Levesque goal to take a 3-0 advantage.
- Merrimack continued to carry play for the remainder of the period and its work was not wasted. With just over seven minutes to play, Declan Carlile began the breakout when he hit Regan Kimens with a pass deep in the defensive zone. Kimens sent a pass to the far side of the rink where Tavernier tipped the puck free to himself, then came in on the wing and beat Wall through the five hole.
- UMass Lowell's offense converted three times early in the third period to all but put the game away, but the Warriors had a valiant comeback attempt.
- The Warriors started their dramatic push when Patrick Holway drew a five-minute elbowing major with seven minutes to play. Not long after, Holway fed Zach Uens along the blue line, who then hit a streaking Tyler Irvine for an in-tight finish.
- Merrimack cut it to three a couple minutes later. Carlile fed Tavernier, whose shot didn't get through, but deflected over to Chase Gresock. The sophomore reloaded the play, then found Tavernier on the far side of the ice for a quick finish.
- The power play continued on and this time, Gresock had the final touch. Irvine fed Holway at the far point, who then played it to the near faceoff dot, as Gresock positioned himself for a one-timer. He blasted it home to cut the margin to two with two and a half minutes to play.
- Merrimack had a golden chance to cut the margin to one on an Irvine chance at the side of the goal, but Wall kicked it out to secure the win for the River Hawks.
Notes & Numbers
- Kimens is now on a three-game point streak, which is the longest of his career.
- Carlile's assists brought him to 14 on the season, which leads the Warriors.
- Holway, Irvine, Gresock and Tavernier all registered a multi-point game.
- Jere Huhtamaa made the start in goal for Merrimack and finished with eight saves. Troy Kobryn relieved him early in the third period and made one save.
- Merrimack finished the game with a dominant 39-15 edge in shots on goal.
- The Warriors struck three times on the five-minute power play, which brought their conversion rate to 3-for-8 on the evening.
Up Next
The Warriors stay in North Andover next weekend for a Hockey East weekend series. Vermont is set to come to Lawler for a pair of games that starts Jan. 24 at 7 pm. Friday's affair is also set to air on NESN.
--
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter, Instagram and on Facebook.
