North Andover, Ma.-- The Merrimack College men's ice hockey team scored three times in under a minute and Parker Lalonde had his first collegiate hat trick as the Warriors skated past the New Hampshire Wildcats 5-1 in front of a packed Lawler Arena on Saturday night.
Merrimack: 5 (2-1-0, 2-1-0), New Hampshire 1 (1-2-0, 0-1-0 HEA)
The Wildcats got on the board in the opening minute of the game, but the Warriors would counter punch with authority after forcing a neutral zone turnover with Trevor Hoskin dropping a perfect pass to Lalonde who put it upstairs to tie the game.
Merrimack took a 2-1 lead 20 seconds later, when Filip Nordberg's shot was deflected home in the slot by Nick Pierre. The Warriors grabbed the insurance goal 30 seconds later when after going down a man, Lalonde picked a Wildcat pocket and scored on a streaking breakaway unassisted to go 3-1 up.
In the second period, Merrimack scored their fourth of the game on the powerplay in only 11 seconds, as Seamus Powell's blast from the point was tipped home by Nolan Flamand for his first Warrior goal and the only one of the period.
With the Warrior lead secured, New Hampshire would make one last effort to pull a goal back with a two-minute stint in the Merrimack end, but after some key blocks from Hunter Mayo and two impressive saves from Max Lundgren including one with his shoulder, the Wildcats were denied any fortune.
With the goaltender pulled in the final two minutes, Lalonde put home his own rebound for his hat trick and the fifth of the game for Merrimack.
Notes and Numbers:
· Parker Lalonde's hat trick is the first Merrimack hat trick since Alex Jefferies did so on November 10th 2023 at UConn.
· Trevor Hoskin had three assists.
· Nick Pierre and Nolan Flamand had the other goals for the Warriors.
· Filip Nordberg, Seamus Powell, Hunter Mayo, and Justin Gill had an assist each.
· Max Lundgren made an even 20 saves in the win.
· Merrimack scored three goals in a minute span for the first time since November 24th, 2023 against Army in the Turkey Leg Classic.
UP NEXT: The Warriors stay at home for their first non-conference action of the season as they host Quinnipiac University on Friday, October 24th.
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
