MERRIMACK EDGES PROVIDENCE, 3-2
Jim Healey makes 33 saves for Warriors

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College men's hockey team was defeated 3-2 by Merrimack in the Hockey East opener Friday night at Schneider Arena. The Friars led 2-0 halfway through the game, but the Warriors rallied for the victory as they improved to 1-4-0 and 1-1-0 in Hockey East play. The Friars fell to 1-4-0 and 0-1-0 in league play.

The Friars opened the scoring as senior Tony Zancanaro (Trenton, Mich.) converted on a power play at 4:00 mark of the first period. Junior Jon Rheault (Deering, N.H.) and freshman John Cavanagh (Warwick, R.I.) assisted on the goal. Senior Dinos Stamoulis (Carle Place, N.Y.) increased PC's lead to 2-0 in the second period as he fired a shot from the blue line that eluded Merrimack goalie Jim Healey, who was screened in front.

However, the Warriors began their comeback moments later when Pat Kimball broke down the right wing and put a shot on goal from in close. PC goalie Tyler Sims (Grand Blanc, Mich.) made the save, but the puck bounced up and deflected off a PC defender and past Sims at 12:09. Merrimack tied the game at 14:36 as Hank Carisio was credited with a goal after the puck glanced off a PC defenseman and into the net.

Providence dominated much of the game, outshooting Merrimack, 35-22 and hitting the post three times, including freshman Mark Fayne's drive in the final minute. However, the Warriors took the lead with just over nine minutes remaining when Justin Mills slid a pass in front to Chris Kane who netted his first goal of the season. PC maintained the pressure, but could not score the equalizer as Healy made 33 saves. Sims finished with 19 stops for the Friars.

The Friars are back in action on Saturday, October 28 when they travel to Lowell, Mass. to take on the UMass Lowell River Hawks at 7:00 p.m.