Hockey Hosts #7 Vermont Friday (7 p.m.) and UConn Sunday (4 p.m.)
MERRIMACK COLLEGE HOCKEY
Game #5 (Friday) vs. #7 Vermont, 7 p.m. / Buy Tickets / Watch Live / Live Stats / Game Notes
Game #6 (Sunday) vs. Connecticut, 4 p.m. / Buy
Tickets / Post-Game Open
Skate Info / Watch Live / Live Stats / Game
Notes
Friday’s Matchup: The Warriors continue
their four-game homestand, looking to improve to 3-0 at home when
they host #7/7 Vermont Friday night.
Lifetime vs. Vermont: The Warriors are 5-11-3
lifetime against Vermont, including a 1-3-3 record in North
Andover. Last season, the teams split the two meetings at Lawler
Arena, with Merrimack winning 3-2 on February 13, before losing 4-3
the next night.
Coach Dennehy vs. the Catamounts: Coach Dennehy is 2-8-2
lifetime as head coach of the Warriors against UVM.
Last Season vs. Vermont (Vermont won series
2-1):
(11/16/08, @ UVM, 2-1 UVM): Merrimack outshot #15 UVM 25-22 but
lost 2-1. After Josh Burrows and Brian Roloff scored to give UVM
the 2-0 lead, Joe Loprieno scored to cut the lead in half. Andrew
Braithwaite stopped 20 shots in the loss.
(2/13/09, @ MC, 3-2, MC): With goals from Karl Stollery, Ryan
Flanigan, and Chris Barton, Merrimack scored three times in a 2:17
span in the 3-2 win over #5 UVM. Joe Cannata stopped 35 shots,
earning Hockey East All-Rookie honors.
(2/14/09, @ MC, 4-3, UVM): Adam Ross and Pat Bowen gave Merrimack
the early 2-0 lead, but the Catamounts scored four second-period
goals for the 4-3 comeback win.
Sunday’s Matchup: Merrimack concludes its
season-high four-game homestand this afternoon against UConn. The
Warriors play the first of three Sunday games today, and the first
of two at home. They were 1-2-1 on Sundays last year, 0-1 at
home.
Lifetime vs. Connecticut: The Warriors are 20-1-0
lifetime against the Huskies, 15-1-0 at Lawler Arena. They defeated
the Huskies 5-2 last year at the UConn Classic.
Coach Dennehy vs. the Huskies: Coach Dennehy is
2-1-0 lifetime as head coach of the Warriors against UConn.
Last Season vs. UConn (Merrimack won series
1-0):
(12/30/08 @ UConn, 5-2 MC): The Merrimack hockey team scored three
times in the first 22:12 to capture the consolation game at the
UConn Holiday Toyota Classic 5-2 over the University of
Connecticut. Rob Ricci earned his first three-point game of the
season, with Francosi Ouimet, Bobby Kramer and Fraser Allan each
earning a multi-point game. Ten different Warriors picked up points
while there were five different goal scorers. Carter Madsen had his
first career goal in the win. Tonight’s Game Notes
Da Costa’s Historic Start Leads to Hockey East
Player of the Week Honor
With five goals in the 6-3 win against Army in only his second
career game, Stephane Da Costa was named the Hockey East Player of
the Week. More information on Da Costa is on page 2.
Bowen and Cucci Also Have Career Days
Overshadowed by Da Costa’s performance were the career-high
three assists tallied by both Pat Bowen and Joe Cucci. Cucci leads
Hockey East with five assists and is tied for second with five
points, while Bowen is tied for first among defensemen with three
power-play points and tied for second in assists with four.
Highest Scoring Output in the Dennehy Era
The six goals scored against Army were the most scored in the 140
games coached by Mark Dennehy at Merrimack and the most since
December 23, 2004.
Creating a Home-Ice Advantage
Merrimack is 2-0 at home for the first time since the 2000-01
season. They will aim for their first 3-0 start Friday since the
1993-94 season. The Warriors started 2-0-1 at home in 2002-03.
Merrimack Stretches Non-Conference Home Winning Streak to
Seven
Since the beginning of the 2007-08 season, the Warriors are 7-0 at
Lawler Arena against non-conference teams. They will host
Connecticut Sunday to conclude this season’s home
non-conference schedule.
Strong on Opening Night
Merrimack is now 6-1-2 in its last nine home openers.
Ouimet Oddly Ends up with
Game-Winner
Incredibly, despite scoring five of the six goals in the win over
Army, Da Costa did not register the game winner. It was Francois
Ouimet who did, getting his first of the year.
A Magical Night for Da Costa
In his second career game, Stephane Da Costa scored five times,
three times on the power play, leading Merrimack to a 6-3 win over
Army. Nationally, in just two games, DaCosta is tied for second in
goals (5), first in goals per game (2.5), first in power-play goals
per game (1.5), and tied for second in power-play goals (3). In
Hockey East, he is first in goals (5) and tied for second in
scoring (5 points). Da Costa set numerous offensive records.
Details follow.
Recapping a Historical Night: Merrimack
Records
5 Goals: Da Costa
is the second Merrimack player ever to score five goals in a game
(Bob Magnuson scored six in March of 1980). He is the first Warrior
to net five in Division I.
5 Points: Most
points scored in a game by a Warrior since Ryan Cordeiro vs. Maine
in February 2002.
11 Shots on Goal:
First Warrior to record 11 shots on goal in a game since Merrimack
went Division I in 1988.
3 Power -Play
Goals: First Warrior to net three power-play goals in a game
since joining Division I, 21 years ago.
Natural Hat
Trick: First Merrimack freshman ever to have a natural hat
trick. Da Costa scored his three goals in exactly 10 minutes in the
first period. The last Merrimack player to record a natural hat
trick was Andy Heinze in the Hockey East Quarterfinals against
Boston College on March 4, 1990.
Recapping a Historical Night: Hockey East
Records
The Paris, France native is the first Hockey East player to score
five goals since Brian Gionta of Boston College in 2001. His three
power-play goals are the most since Ben Walter of UML scored three
on October 24, 2003. He is the first freshman in HEA history to
score five times in a game and is the first player to score five
goals and get a natural hat trick as part of his first collegiate
goal in Hockey East history. The last natural hat trick in Hockey
East was Mike Sislo (UNH) on December 11, 2008.
Recapping a Historical Night: Lawler Arena
Records
The freshman scored the most goals in a game at Lawler Arena in
the 37-year history of the building.
Recapping a Historical Night: Hat Trick Notes
The last Merrimack player to get a hat trick was Matt Johnson
against RPI on October 29, 2005. The last Warrior to get a hat
trick at home was Marco Rosa vs. BC on February 15, 2003. Alex
Sikatchev was the last player to net four goals in a game (vs.
Colgate, November, 23, 2001). As previously noted, the last
Merrimack player to record a natural hat trick was Andy Heinze in
the Hockey East Quarterfinals against Boston College on March 4,
1990.
Recapping a Historical Night: NCAA Records
Da Costa set at least two NCAA records. He is the first freshman
in NCAA history to score a natural hat trick and get five goals in
the same game, let alone in his second career game. He is also the
first player to score five goals and get a natural hat trick as
part of his first collegiate goal. His three power-play goals are
tied for the second most in NCAA Division I history and are the
most since November 6, 2005.
Kimball Sits at 98 Career Games; Robitaille at
97
Pat Kimball needs to play in two more games and J.C. Robitaille
needs three more for 100 career games.
Four Warriors Net First Points
In addition to Da Costa, Simon Demers, Kyle Bigos and John
Heffernan all notched their first career point, picking up assists
over the weekend.
Barton Scores Four of Team’s First Five
Goals
In the first-ever meetings between Merrimack and North Dakota,
junior captain Chris Barton netted three of his team’s four
goals, while posting a team-high eight shots. Barton then scored
the first goal against Holy Cross, netting four of
Merrimack’s first five goals. He is tied for second in Hockey
East with four goals.
Special Teams Very Special in Opening Weekend at
Home
The Warrior penalty kill successfully killed off all eight
man-down situations against Holy Cross and Army. Additionally,
after not scoring on the power play in North Dakota, Merrimack
scored four times in 11 chances on the man advantage. Pat Bowen has
anchored the power play, netting three power-play assists, most
among Hockey East defensemen.
Cannata Just Misses Shutout
In the 3-1 win over Holy Cross, Joe Cannata was 45 seconds away
from his third career shutout. He stopped 26 shots in the win.
Power Play Comes Alive
The Warriors had three power-play goals against Army for the first
time in a game since February 22, 2009 against Providence.
Senior Bonitatibus Finds the Net
Senior Justin Bonitatibus scored the first goal of the season for
Merrimack, his first since October 20, 2007 (at Bemidji State).
Demers, Four Freshmen Debut
Among the six freshmen, only Kyle Bigos has played every game this
season. John Heffernan has appeared in three games, tallying his
first assist against Army, while Brandon Brodhag and Stephane Da
Costa have appeared in two each. Sophomore Simon Demers, who
redshirted last year as a freshman, also made his collegiate debut,
and notched his first collegiate assist against Army in his third
game.
Mookie Returns
Junior Matt Moulakelis, who has played just eight games in the
last two seasons, centered the second line in both games at North
Dakota, making his first appearance since February 23, 2008.
Moulakelis missed the last 37 games with an injury.
Big Crowds
Merrimack played in front of crowds of over 11,000 both nights at
North Dakota, the most they have played in front of since making
the Hockey East Semifinals in 1998.
Goaltending Solid in Opening Weekend
Arguably the best 1-2 combination in college hockey, Joe Cannata
and Andrew Braithwaite both had solid starts to the season in North
Dakota. On Friday, Cannata stopped 35 shots, keeping the Warriors
in the game in the third, stopping 15 shots, including an
incredible, sprawling save, getting a piece of the puck with the
blade of his stick off a Brett Hextall shot midway through the
third. Braithwaite recorded 32 saves, including 28 in the final two
periods, in the second game in North Dakota.
Todd Off to Strong Start
Jesse Todd, who was second among freshmen forwards in scoring in
Hockey East games with 21 points and tied for the team lead with 23
points last season, scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 win over
Army. Todd has a team-best +5 this year and has four points (three
assists) in four games while centering the top line with Chris
Barton and J.C. Robitaille.
Braithwaite Named a Lowe’s Senior CLASS
Finalist
Andrew Braithwaite is one of 20 hockey student-athletes named a
finalist for the 2009-10 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible
for the award, candidates must be classified as an NCAA Division I
senior and have notable accomplishments in four areas of excellence
- classroom, character, community, and competition. Braithwaite,
named the Hockey East Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2008 for
the second time in three years, is one of four players from Hockey
East listed as a finalist and is the only goaltender. The 20
candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the
regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official
ballot.
Breaking the GAA for 2nd Straight Year
Last year, for the second straight year, Merrimack set a school
record for fewest goals allowed in a season with eighty-nine.
Merrimack returns six defensemen, including Stollery, captain Pat
Bowen, and assistant captain Adam Ross from last year’s
team.
One-Goal Struggles Set a School Record
Despite finishing with a 9-21-4 record, the Warriors were in
virtually every game last year, as they lost 14 games by one goal,
most in the country and most in school history.
Warriors See Two Selected in NHL Entry Draft
For the first time since 2002, Merrimack had two players selected
in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Freshman Kyle Bigos was picked in the
fourth round (99th overall) by the Edmonton Oilers, while sophomore
Joe Cannata was picked in the sixth round (173rd overall) by the
Vancouver Canucks.
Perfect Attendance for Barton
Chris Barton is the only upperclassman to have played in every
game since arriving at Merrimack. Barton played in all 68 games in
his first two seasons. Jesse Todd and Karl Stollery played in every
game last year as freshmen.
Non-Conference Wrap Up
The Warriors finished last year 4-2-1 against non-conference
teams. Merrimack is 12-4-2 in its last 18 games against
non-conference foes.
Cannata in the Record Books
Joe Cannata saw his shutout streak end at 101:09 to start last
season when he gave up a third-period goal at Canisius on October
26, 2008. Cannata stopped the first 55 shots he faced, setting a
Merrimack record, and turned aside 66 of his first 67 shots. He was
the first goaltender in school history to register a shutout in his
first start. His 2.35 goals-against-average as a freshman is the
second-best in school history for a single season.
Merrimack in 40+ Save Performances
Incredibly, over the last two seasons, Merrimack is 3-0-2 when its
goaltender stops 40 or more shots. Joe Cannata became the first
goaltender to stop 40+ shots last season with his 44-save
performance at Army. In the 2007-08 season, Andrew Braithwaite did
the deed three times with Merrimack going 2-0-1 in those games.
Warriors Welcome Six Newcomers
Merrimack welcomes six freshmen to the squad, highlighted by
defenseman Kyle Bigos and forward Stephane Da Costa. Two newcomers,
Brandon Brodhag and Rob Morton hail from New York, while Nick Drew
and John Heffernan are local products.
Captains
Senior defenseman Pat Bowen and junior forward Chris Barton will
serve as captains for the 2009-10 season. Junior defenseman Adam
Ross will be an assistant captain.
Scouting the Schedule
Twenty-seven Hockey East games and first-ever trips to North
Dakota and Wisconsin highlight a challenging 2009-10 schedule. The
Warriors open its season with four-straight non-conference games,
including two straight on the road against #6/8 North Dakota and
home games against Holy Cross and Army. Merrimack plays a total of
seven non-conference games this year, five of them in the first 16
days of the season. The Warriors will host 13 conference games
while traveling to fourteen conference road contests, all against
tough Division I competitors. Conference play kicks off at home
against Vermont on October 23. Merrimack’s longest road trip
is a seven-game excursion from December 5 - January 22. The
Warriors close out their 2009-10 slate with two home games against
Maine and a home-and-home with Providence.
Camrose Connection
Chris Barton, Karl Stollery, and Jesse Todd all played junior
hockey with the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL. Barton, who was a
sophomore while Stollery and Todd were freshmen, helped Camrose to
two straight AJHL and Doyle Cup Championships in 2006-07 and
2007-08.
The Alberta Pipeline
Seven players are from Alberta on this year’s Merrimack
squad, tied with Massachusetts for the most from one province or
state. Besides the Camrose trio, Carter Madsen, Elliott Sheen,
Brandon Sadlowski, and Adam Ross hail from Alberta.
Lawler Renovations
Over the summer, Merrimack committed 1.2 million to install a new
ice bed and compressor system as part of the Lawler Completion
Project. The press box was also expanded. Future plans call for the
removal of all bleachers in favor of chairback seats as well as the
redesign of the Volpe Complex lobby.
Warriors on TV
Merrimack is scheduled to appear on TV three times, once more than
last season. Both games in North Dakota aired on Fox College
Sports, while the February 20 game at UMass will be carried by
NESN.
Warriors on 1400 AM, Internet
All Merrimack home games will be webcast online at
www.merrimackathletics.com courtesy of B2 Networks (pay-per-view
video and free audio). All road games can be heard live online for
free at www.merrimackathletics.com. Beginning November 13, all
Merrimack games can be heard live on 1400 AM.
2009-10 Hockey East Preseason Coaches Poll
The Warriors were picked to finish tenth in this year’s
preseason poll, voted on by the coaches of Hockey East.
Rank Team (1st place votes) Pts.
1. Boston University (6) 84
2. UMass Lowell (2) 79
3. Boston College (2) 76
4. New Hampshire 59
Vermont 59
6. Northeastern 57
7. Massachusetts 47
8. Maine 32
9. Providence 24
10. MERRIMACK 23
