SAULT, STE, MARIE - The Merrimack College men's ice hockey program held a 3-2 lead going into the third period of Sunday evening's game at Lake Superior State University, but the host Lakers scored twice in the final 20 minutes to claim a 4-3 win at Taffy Abel Arena. Merrimack fell to 0-2 on the young season while Lake Superior State improved to 2-0, winning both games of the weekend series.
The Warriors return to campus tomorrow, and set their focus on the University of Wisconsin, who arrive on campus Saturday evening for Merrimack's home opener. Puck drop at Lawler Rink is set for 7 p.m.
The Basics
Score: Lake Superior State 4, Merrimack 3
Records: Merrimack (0-2-0) | Lake Superior State (2-0-0)
Location: Taffy Abel Arena | Sault, Ste, Marie, Mich.
How It Happened
- Both teams scored within the first 76 seconds of the first period. Freshman Zach Uens scored his first collegiate goal for Merrimack just 55 seconds into the game, netting a goal off a feed from senior Patrick Kramer. Twenty-one seconds later, however, the hosts scored an equalizer to bring the game even
- Neither team scored over the remainder of the first. In the second, it was Merrimack who answered quickly after Lake Superior State scored. The Lakers pushed one across at the 6:39 mark of the second to go ahead, 2-1. Thirty-nine seconds later, sophomore Jordan Seyfert netted his first collegiate goal, dangling past a defender during a 2-on-1 before wristing a shot home
- Later in the period, senior captain Tyler Irvine scored a go-ahead goal for Merrimack to give the Warriors their first lead of the season. After that goal, Merrimack went on a five-minute power play following a game misconduct assessed to Lake Superior State, but the Warriors were unable to score
- The theme of quick-strike offense continued in the final period. The hosts scored twice in the span of 77 seconds midway through the period to give them a 4-3 lead. With the goalie pulled, Merrimack controlled possession for the final two minutes of the game, but could not score the game-tying goal
Notes & Numbers
- After playing the final 14 minutes of the season opener, freshman Troy Kobryn registered his first career start on Sunday. Kobryn finished with 15 saves
- Uens emerged from the weekend with his first collegiate goal and assist in his debut games with the Warriors. Freshman Declan Carlile - Uens' blue-line parter - dished out a pair of helpers for his first collegiate points
- Irvine netted his first goal of the season, the 18th tally of his four-year career
- Kramer and sophomore Tyler Heidt notched helpers on Sunday as well; Kramer and Carlile left the weekend tied for the team lead in assists (2)
- Merrimack dropped to 1-5 all-time against Lake Superior State; this weekend' trip to Taffy Abel Arena was the first for the program in 31 years
Merrimack Lineup
Forwards
L. Drevitch | Irvine | Gresock
Welsher | Kramer | Tavernier
Walsh | Seyfert | Esselin
Jeszka | Cassetti | T. Drevitch
Defense
Carlile | Uens
Dockery | Dennison
Heidt | Vinnell
Modry
Goaltenders
Kobryn | Huhtamaa | Corcoran
Up Next
Merrimack plays in its home opener on Saturday night when the Warriors host the University of Wisconsin at 7 p.m. from Lawler Rink.