NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - A late 6-on-4 opportunity was nearly enough Sunday afternoon at Lawler Rink for the Merrimack College men's hockey team to complete its comeback, but it fell short in a 3-2 loss to #14/15 Northeastern.
The Warriors scored two unanswered tallies to get back in the game and a late power play almost produced a third, but they could not put one home.
The Basics
Score: 14/15 Northeastern 3, Merrimack 2
Records: Merrimack (1-5-0, 1-5-0 HEA) | Northeastern (5-3-2, 5-3-2 HEA)
Game Duration: 2:15
How It Happened
- Merrimack put together another good opening frame with a 10-9 advantage in shots on goal, but the Huskies struck twice in the closing six minutes to claim a two-goal lead at the first intermission. Merrimack starting goalie Troy Kobryn did have a pair of highlight reel saves, including a sliding stop on an in-tight chance just five minutes in.
- Northeastern extended its lead to three just under two minutes into the second when Dylan Jackson pounced on a loose puck and beat Kobryn.
- The hosts got on the board midway through the frame thanks in large part to Zach Uens. The sophomore defenseman, who played just his second game of the season, knocked down a would-be clear at the defensive blue line. Filip Forsmark picked up the loose biscuit and entered the attacking zone from the left point. He maneuvered through the middle and fed Logan Drevitch on the right wing, who beat Huskies goalie Connor Murphy for his first of the season.
- The teams skated 4-on-4 three separate times in the matinee, including twice in the third period, and the Warriors used the extra space accordingly. Dominic Dockery began the scoring play just over 11 minutes into the third when he whacked a puck forward near the red line. Mac Welsher retrieved it and got tied up near the blue line. Chase Gresock kept the broken play alive when he stabbed it forward again, then Welsher found it before he deposited a wrist shot near side for his first of the season.
- Merrimack had chances to equalize in the closing eight minutes, which included a power play with just 1:38 to play. Kobryn went to the bench to create a 6-on-4 opportunity to close the game, but the Warriors could not solve Murphy for a third time.
Notes & Numbers
- Forsmark and Gresock both finished with three points on the weekend after they had a goal and an assist in Saturday's matchup.
- Kobryn finished the game with 33 saves, including 24 straight after Northeastern's third goal.
- Dockery finished with a game-high four blocked shots and paces the Warriors with 17 on the season. The next closest has nine.
- Five players are now tied for the team lead in points with five through six games.
- Merrimack's penalty kill finished a perfect 10-for-10 on the weekend.
- Patrick Kramer led the way at the face-off dot with eight wins on 11 draws.
Up Next
The Warriors return to the ice next weekend.
