BEMIDJI, MN. – Freshman Francois Ouimet (Lorraine, Quebec) scored the game-winning goal on the power play to give the Warriors their second straight victory, 3-2 over Bemidji State Friday night.
The Warriors are one win shy of their entire output in the 2006-07 season after starting the season 2-0.
Ouimet grabbed a loose puck on the power play following a slap shot from Grant Farrell (Calgary, Alberta) and put it home for the game-winning tally. It was the freshman’s first collegiate goal.
Pat Watson (Waltham, MA) continued his stellar start to the season, stopping 34 shots, while earning his second victory. Merrimack was outshot 36-11, but Watson gave his team a chance to win, and they took full advantage of it.
The Warriors got on the board first as junior forward John Goebel (Parma, OH) tallied his first goal in his first game of the season. Ouimet and Rob Ricci (Brampton, Ontario) notched the assists.
Merrimack made it 2-0 when J.C. Robitaille (Des Ruisseaux, Quebec) converted on a five-minute major penalty at 2:00 in the second period. Justin Bonitatibus (Arlington, MA) and Chris Barton (Calgary, Alberta) picked up the assists.
The Beavers cut the lead to one with just 1:42 remaining in the second and tied it 56 seconds into the third, but Merrimack regained the lead, behind Ouimet, just 1:20 later.
Ricci (two assists) and Ouimet (goal, assist) both posted multi-point games.
Merrimack took advantage of seven power-plays, converting on two of them, while the Beavers were 0-for-6 on the man advantage.
The Warriors (2-0) will try to match their win total in the 2006-07 season Saturday night at Bemidji at 8 p.m. EST.