NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Merrimack College men's hockey team could not come back against #10/11 Minnesota Duluth Monday evening in a 5-1 loss at Lawler Rink.
Chase Gresock's exceptional individual effort to tally his seventh goal of the season was a big highlight for the Warriors, but the Bulldogs' potent offense was too much in the end.
The Basics
Score: #10/11 Minnesota Duluth 5, Merrimack 1
Records: Merrimack (4-13-2, 2-5-2 HEAM) | #10/11 Minnesota Duluth (11-6-1, 6-1-1 NCHC)
Game Duration: 2:15
Attendance: 1,707
How It Happened
• Jere Huhtamaa got the nod in goal for the Warriors and was solid to begin his first appearance since Dec. 13. He stood strong in the opening frame, until Cole Koepke got the Bulldogs on the board with just under two minutes to play. Huhtamaa finished the first with 11 saves on 12 shots.
• Minnesota Duluth's strong offensive attack found its stride in the second period, as they tallied three goals to take a four-goal advantage into the final stanza.
• Gresock's sensational tally came six and a half minutes into the third period. He intercepted a pass at the red line, then broke in against a pair of defenders. He leaned in towards the net on his backhand, then flipped a perfect shot to the far top corner to get the Warriors on the board.
• The Bulldogs concluded the scoring four minutes later to seal the win.
Notes & Numbers
• Gresock's seventh goal of the season ties him with Tyler Irvine for the team lead in the category.
• Huhtamaa played the whole game in net for the Warriors and ended the evening with 21 saves.
• Gresock's six shots on goal was the most on Merrimack.
• Merrimack's power play unit was scoreless for the first time in three games.
Up Next
The Warriors take on their Merrimack Valley rival UMass Lowell Jan. 4 at Lawler Rink. Puck drop is set for 7 pm.
