Links: Box Score
Video: Borek Postgame
AMHERST, Mass. – A couple third period bounces did not go the way of the Merrimack College men's hockey team, as #10/9 Massachusetts came back to complete the comeback in a 4-3 decision Monday night at Mullins Center.
The Warriors entered the third period with a 3-2 lead thanks to a late second period power play goal from
Matt Copponi.
Logan Drevitch and
Filip Forsmark strung two goals together earlier in the game for Merrimack's first lead of the night. Massachusetts tied the game just over five minutes into the third, then secured the game-winner with just over five minutes to play in the game.
Zachary Borgiel made the start in the Warrior goal and finished with 30 saves.
Monday's game was scheduled just a few days ago after some scheduling shuffling for both teams and it did not count as a regular season Hockey East game.
The Basics
Score: #10/9 Massachusetts 4,
Merrimack 3
Records: Merrimack (7-10-1, 3-7-0 HEA) | Massachusetts (10-4-2, 7-2-2 HEA)
Attendance: 529
How It Happened
- The teams skated without much in terms of scoring chances in the first few minutes of the game, but the Minutemen were able to sneak a sharp angle shot home midway through the frame to take a 1-0 lead.
- Merrimack started to create chances of its own as the period continued and it culminated in a game-tying goal. With two and a half minutes to play, Christian Felton lifted a puck out of the defensive end into the neutral zone. Copponi won a puck battle near the red line and got it free for Drevitch. The senior cut to the middle of the ice on the rush and tucked a shot inside the far post to knot the score at one to end the frame.
- The Warriors built on momentum into the second period and were able to take their first lead of the evening. The trio of Ben Brar, Forsmark and Liam Walsh applied a strong forecheck to keep the Minutemen from escaping their own end. Walsh blocked a clearance attempt off his body, then shuffled the puck towards the goal. Forsmark met it before it got there and slipped a shot home to make it 2-1.
- Massachusetts had chances to tie, but Borgiel was too good in the Merrimack net. He stood strong on a few chances, but the Minutemen were able to break through with 6:39 to go to tie it at two.
- After a pair of Massachusetts penalties in the final few minutes of the frame, Merrimack had over a minute of 5-on-3 time. Following a few missed chances, Alex Jefferies played the puck to the left point for Zach Vinnell. The junior sent it far side to Max Newton, who crept in to the high slot and snapped a quick shot towards goal that Copponi got a body on and directed it into the net.
- Merrimack held Massachusetts off for the first five minutes of the third, but the hosts broke through at the 5:14 mark to tie the game.
- On an unfortunate bounce in the closing six minutes, Massachusetts notched the game-winning goal to complete its comeback.
Notes & Numbers
- Forsmark finished the two-game stretch five points on three goals and two assists.
- Newton's goal was his third of the weekend.
- Walsh had a dominant game at the faceoff dot with 16 wins on 21 opportunities.
- Newton, Forsmark, Vinnell, Walsh, Jefferies and Copponi all notched at least a point in both of the past two games.
- Vinnell and Zach Uens both tied for the team lead with two blocked shots apiece.
- Newton is now tied for fifth in Hockey East with 10 goals.
Up Next
The Warriors are back at Lawler Rink Friday night when they play host to Clarkson. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm.
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