Links: Box Score
Video: Scott Borek Postgame Comments
HARTFORD, Conn. – The Merrimack College men's hockey team came out with momentum and maintained it all game in a 6-2 win over UConn Tuesday night at XL Center.
The Warriors scored three goals in the opening three minutes of the second and third period and
Mac Welsher's second period tally stood up as the winner in the thorough win over the Huskies.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 6, UConn 2
Records: Merrimack (5-14-2, 3-6-2 HEAM) | UConn (7-9-4, 4-6-2 HEAM)
Game Duration: 2:14
Attendance: 2,953
How It Happened
- Merrimack came out flying in the game's opening period and played arguably its best 20 minutes of hockey so far this season. The Warriors held a 15-5 edge in shots on goal in the frame and found the back of the net thanks to Hugo Esselin. Regan Kimens sprung forward to hold the puck in the zone six minutes into the period, then slid down along the goal line before he fed Esselin, who tipped home his second of the season.
- The Warriors didn't even need a full minute of the second period to extend their lead. Logan Drevitch blocked a shot in the defensive end, then collected the loose puck. He busted up ice, then played an indirect pass to Chase Gresock near the far half wall. Gresock lifted a return pass to his classmate, who wristed it off the crossbar and in.
- UConn had a response just a minute and a half later when Justin Howell beat starting goalie Jere Huhtamaa. Not long after the goal, the Warriors were forced to kill off a major penalty and that call had a big impact on the remainder of the contest, but not the way the Huskies were looking for.
- Merrimack successfully killed off the UConn power play, thanks in large part to Declan Carlile, who drew an interference minor in the final minute of the penalty kill. Just a couple minutes after the teams returned to full strength, the Warriors extended their lead. Carlile entered the offensive zone, then passed it over to Gresock on the far side. He walked in, then fed a pass to the slot for Welsher, who banged it home along the ice.
- The Warriors were not done in the second period. After a puck rimmed around all the way to center ice, Sami Tavernier worked it loose to Tyler Irvine, who broke in on a 2-on-1. Irvine, playing in his first game back in the lineup, waited out Huskie goalie Tomas Vomacka and slipped it just inside the post for his eighth of the season.
- The Huskies were able to narrow the margin with less than 30 seconds left in the frame on a Marc Gatcomb tally.
- Merrimack put its foot back on the gas pedal and retook its three-goal lead just two minutes into the third. Irvine cut into the zone, then dumped a pass off to Tavernier at the point. The senior fed Ben Brar in the middle of the ice, who had his original shot blocked, but he gathered the rebound and fired it into the net.
- The Warriors maintained momentum, then fired the dagger into the UConn goal thanks to Patrick Holway. The junior netted his first goal as a Warrior when he took a D-to-D pass from Liam Dennison, then moved in towards the net. He finally released a wrist shot that eluded Vomacka to bring the lead to four.
Notes & Numbers
- Carlile, Irvine, Gresock, Kimens and Tavernier all had two points on the evening.
- Huhtamaa finished the night with 26 saves for his fourth win on the campaign.
- Carlile finished the game with a +4 rating, which was a career high and the best for either team.
- Esselin is now riding a two-game point streak.
- The win puts the Warriors just two points back of a potential Hockey East playoff spot.
Up Next
The Warriors are off until Friday, Jan. 17 when Boston University pays a visit to 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, Instagram and on Facebook.
