| Date |
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020 // 7 pm |
| Matchup |
Merrimack (4-14-2, 2-6-2 HEA)
UConn (7-8-4, 4-5-2 HEA) |
| Location |
XL Center // Hartford, Conn. |
| Links |
Live Stats // Watch // Listen |
| Social |
Twitter // Instagram |
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College men's ice hockey team heads to the Nutmeg State for the second time this season when it takes on UConn Tuesday evening in Hartford.
Five Things To Know
- The Warriors play their second game of the new year still within striking distance of a Hockey East playoff spot. Merrimack is just four points back of the eighth and final playoff spot, which is shared by Maine and UConn. A win Tuesday would put the Warriors just two points back of the Huskies with a game still in hand.
- Chase Gresock has been one of the nation's most prolific goal scorers up to this point in the season. The sophomore has netted seven goals in his first 14 games played, which puts him in a tie for 31st in the NCAA in goals per game with 0.50.
- Freshman defenseman Zach Uens has been getting NHL Draft buzz after what has been a stellar rookie campaign. The Ontario native has played in all 20 games so far and is tied for fourth on the team in scoring with two goals and seven assists for nine points. Classmate Declan Carlile (2-9--11) is the only Warrior defenseman with more points.
- Merrimack's monstrous freshmen class has been thriving in its first year of college hockey. The class of 16 has combined for 54 points, which accounts for 46% of the team's overall scoring. Carlile and Uens are pacing the class with a combined 20 of those points.
- The Huskies come into Tuesday's affair after a 5-2 defeat against Northeastern Friday evening at the XL Center. UConn is now winless in its last three games, but still sports a 4-5-2 conference record. The trio of Jachym Kondelik, Vladislav Firstov and Benjamin Freeman share the team lead in scoring with 13 points apiece and a total of six players have double digit points. Nashville Predator draft pick Tomas Vomacka has seen the lion's share of work in the net with 18 games played, a 7-8-3 record and a 3.46 goals against average.
Inside the Matchup:
| Merrimack (4-14-2, 2-6-2 HEA) |
Category |
UConn (7-8-4, 4-5-2 HEA) |
| 1/4 vs #13/13 UMass Lowell (L, 3-1) |
Last Time Out |
1/3 vs #12/12 Northeastern (L, 5-2) |
| 2.10 |
Scoring Offense |
2.89 |
| 3.65 |
Scoring Defense |
3.37 |
| 24.9 |
Shots/Game |
30.9 |
| 27.0 |
Shots Allowed/Game |
30.7 |
| 13-78 |
PPG-Chances |
10-67 |
| 16.7% |
PP% |
14.9% |
| 60-75 |
PK-Chances |
52-70 |
| 80.0% |
PK% |
74.3% |
| 99-258 |
Penalties-PIM |
86-194 |
| 12.9 |
PIM/Game |
10.2 |
| 536-635 |
Faceoffs (W-L) |
581-567 |
| 45.8% |
Faceoff % |
50.6% |
Up Next
The Warriors have the coming weekend off before they host Boston University Friday, Jan. 17 inside Lawler Rink. Puck drop is set for 7 pm.
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For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
