Links: Box Score
Video: Borek Postgame
BOSTON – A few wayward bounces sealed the fate for the Merrimack College men's hockey team Saturday night, as #14/15 Northeastern came back from a two-goal deficit to take a 3-2 decision in overtime at Matthews Arena.
Merrimack's line of
Mac Welsher,
Chase Gresock and
Filip Forsmark was dominant and
Zachary Borgiel excelled in net, but the Huskies' third period comeback turned the tide.
The Basics
Score: 14/15 Northeastern 3,
Merrimack 2 (OT)
Records: Merrimack (1-4-0, 1-4-0 HEA) | Northeastern (4-3-2, 4-3-2 HEA)
How It Happened
- The visitors from North Andover looked like a rejuvenated group in the first period. Merrimack hemmed in the Huskies frequently and were rewarded for it. Just over eight minutes in, Patrick Holway slalomed his way through the neutral zone, then hit Gresock with a pass at the far blue line. Gresock walked in and fired a shot that was stopped by Huskies goalie Connor Murphy, but the rebound bounced into the slot, where Forsmark swooped in to deposit his first career goal.
- Borgiel was sharp in the opening 20 minutes and stopped all 11 shots he saw, while his teammates fired 13 on the host's cage.
- Northeastern upped the pressure in the second stanza, but Borgiel continued to stonewall the chances, including an incredible sliding stop on a point-blank opportunity just over six minutes in.
- On the other end, Merrimack had their chances as well and the captain was able to finish one. Just past the halfway point, Forsmark chipped a puck into the offensive end to Gresock at the near blue line. The junior whipped it back to center point, then took a return feed from Welsher on the doorstep to convert on his second of the campaign.
- In the third, Merrimack had a few chances early on to take a three-goal lead, but Murphy closed the door. The Huskies began their comeback just over five minutes in when Grant Jozefek was hauled down on a shorthanded breakaway. He then beat Borgiel on the ensuing penalty shot to cut the deficit in half.
- With just over three minutes left, Gunnarwolfe Fontaine completed the comeback with a wrist shot past the far side of Borgiel.
- The teams went to overtime, which was the first of the season for the Warriors under Hockey East's new 3-on-3 format. Merrimack killed off the remnants of a late penalty in the opening minute and a half, but then a turnover led to Dylan Jackson's game-winner with 2:41 to play.
Notes & Numbers
- After Forsmark did not play in a competitive game for 20 months, he now has four points in his first five collegiate games to tie for third on the team in scoring.
- With his assist, Holway is now tied for the team lead in points (5) and assists (4) and leads both categories for defensemen.
- Borgiel ended the evening with 35 saves to convincingly set a career-high.
- Forsmark, Gresock and Welsher all finished with +2 ratings to lead Merrimack.
- Gresock paced the Warriors with six shots on goal.
- Mick Messner made his Warrior debut and finished with a shot on goal.
- Declan Carlile and Zach Uens both made their first appearances of the season.
- The Warriors topped the Huskies in shots on goal (39-38), face-off wins (38-27) and blocked shots (17-14).
Up Next
The teams battle again Sunday afternoon, this time in North Andover at Lawer Rink. Puck drop is set for 3 pm.
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