Women's Hockey Fights Through Conference Bout with Providence

Links: Box Score
 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.— Focused on some of their best hockey of the year, the Merrimack women's ice hockey team were unable to break through in a physical midweek battle against the Providence Friars 3-0 on Tuesday night.

The Basics
Score: Merrimack Warriors 0, Providence College Friars 3
Records: Merrimack (5-24-1, 4-20-1 HEA) | Providence (14-13-5, 11-12-2 HEA)
Location: Lawler Rink | North Andover, Mass.  
 
How It Happened

• Merrimack started its barrage of shots early in the first period, challenging in the offensive zone with a flurry of chances and a trio of faceoff wins to keep the play deep in the zone. Providence flipped the switch quickly, pinning the puck in deep before capturing on a rebound opportunity for a lead.
• The Friars scored in the final minute of the first period after a forecheck drove a wraparound chance that caused more havoc in the crease.
• In the second, the Warriors sprinted to try and break through on the scoreboard with three shots on goal following their opening 1:38 on a carryover penalty kill before the Friars scored even strength for a 3-0 lead.
• Following the mid-second media break, Merrimack went for three shots on goal with their offensive pressure drawing a penalty. On the advantage, the Warriors popped another four shots on goal, including one of their best chances of the night. Navigating at the point, Julia MacLean worked with traffic in front with an open net before the Friars netminder got a pad on the puck to keep the Warriors off the board.
• With momentum, Merrimack continued its blitz with 10 shots on goal on 15 shot attempts. Junior Madison Oelkers looked to continue her points streak, posting three shots on goal in the final 20 minutes. Oelkers, Hannah Corneliusen and Katie Kaufman led the squad with four shots on goal each in an effort to break through for a goal.

Notes & Numbers.

• The Warriors have continued their success in the faceoff circle, out-winning their opponents in the draw for the third straight game. In the last three contests, the Warriors have worked a 62 percent faceoff win percentage.
• Madison Oelkers has led the charge in faceoffs with a 71 percent faceoff win percentage over the last three games, winning 42 draws in that span.
• Goaltenders: Emma Gorski (17 saves) | Sandra Abstreiter (32 saves)
• Power Plays: MC 0-3 | PC 0-2
• Shots on Goal: MC 7, PC 9 | MC 15, PC 15 | MC 10, PC 6 | MC 32, PC 35
• Faceoffs: 35 MC | 21 PC                     Blocks: 5 MC | 13 PC

Up Next
The Warriors will take on their final series of the regular season, hosting Holy Cross at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18 before heading to Worcester to finish out on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. 
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