NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Merrimack Warriors' 12 shots on goal in the third period wasn't enough to send Merrimack even with UConn on Friday night, with the squad falling 3-2 at Lawler Rink.
The Warriors fell to 1-6-0 on the season (0-2-0 HEAM) while the Huskies improved to 2-2-1 (1-0-0 HEAM). Merrimack takes on UConn again on Sunday at the XL Center in downtown Hartford.
The Basics
Score: Connecticut 3, Merrimack 2
Records: Merrimack (1-6-0, 0-2-0 HEAM) | UConn (2-2-1, 1-0-0 HEAM)
Location: Lawler Rink | North Andover, Mass.
Attendance: 1,734
Game Duration: 2:16
How It Happened
- The Warriors took the opening goal of the game after dominating pressure to start the game. Regan Kimens handled the puck at center ice, bodying off a UConn player at center to dish it off to Tyler Irvine. Irvine, cutting into the slot from the boards, dished it over to Liam Walsh for his first career goal.
- UConn scored a shorthanded goal to open the second period to bring the game back to even, as the Huskies handled a puck lofted from the offensive zone faceoff through to the near boards for an unmarked opportunity on goal.
- Merrimack responded to that opportunity quickly, scoring 90 seconds later on the power play. Sami Tavernier pulled the defense towards him to fake a shot before passing through the open slot, connecting with Logan Drevitch who fired it home blocker side.
- The Huskies took a lead off of a clunky loose puck, as UConn took a loose puck through a group of players around the faceoff circle, before UConn squeaked it through an active Jere Huhtamaa for the third goal of the night.
Notes & Numbers
- Merrimack's offense peppered shots on goal, outshooting UConn by an 38-18 margin in the game.
- Huhtamaa made 15 saves in the game, handling a lighter load for the Warriors high puck possession.
- Zach Uens made contributions on both sides of the puck, adding an assist and three shots on goal of the afternoon.
- Liam Walsh scored his first career goal, becoming the fourth rookie to score the first of his NCAA career this season.
Up Next
The Warriors head down to Hartford, Conn. on Sunday to play UConn at the XL Center to conclude the weekend series.
