Freshman forward Liam Walsh scored the game-winner for the Warriors
Late Walsh Goal Propels Merrimack Past Providence, 3-2
Freshman forward Liam Walsh scored the game-winner for the Warriors

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Merrimack College men's hockey team held off an incredible third period charge from #15 Providence, but Troy Kobryn and the Warriors stood tall in a 3-2 win Saturday night at Lawler Rink.

Providence had a 22-shot offensive barrage in the third period, but Liam Walsh's late goal turned the tides, as the Warriors completed a weekend sweep of the Friars.


The Basics

Score: Merrimack 3, 15/RV Providence 2
Records: Merrimack (9-21-3, 7-13-3 HEAM) | Providence (15-11-6, 9-10-3 HEAM)
Game Duration: 2:29
Attendance: 2,344


How It Happened

- Providence started out with plenty of pace and found the game's first goal off the stick of Patrick Moynihan just under nine minutes in.

- The Warriors had an answer just over four minutes later thanks to a great play from Patrick Holway. He collected a puck in the defensive zone from Christian Simeone and broke into the attacking zone on his own. He worked his way loose, then fed a perfect pass to Declan Carlile, who one-timed it home from the slot.

- The Friars had an answer of their own two minutes later when their deadly power play unit converted on another Moynihan goal.

- Merrimack's power play, which struck Friday night in Providence, proved to be a factor again in the second period. After the Warriors hemmed in the Friars for a long stretch, Carlile fed Sami Tavernier at the right half wall. After the senior collected it, he fired a spinning pass to Tyler Irvine in the slot, who fired home his seventh power play goal of the year.

- Kobryn turned in one of the most magnificent periods of hockey that Merrimack has seen in recent years to keep the Friars off the board. He stopped all 22 shots he faced in the frame, including four saves on a late power play.

- Thanks to Kobryn's exceptional play, the Warriors had a chance to win and they didn't let it pass. With under four minutes to play, Regan Kimens broke in off the right wing with plenty of space to the net. He juked netminder Michael Lackey, but couldn't fit the puck through the five hole. The rebound popped free to Walsh, who crashed in for the game-winner.


Notes & Numbers

- Kobryn finished the weekend with 71 saves on 73 shots.

- It's the first weekend sweep for the Warriors since they topped UMass Lowell twice in a row during the Hockey East Tournament March 2-3, 2018.

- Carlile led the Warriors with three points on the weekend.

- Walsh led all skaters with a +2 rating.


Up Next

The Warriors complete their 2019-20 campaign Thursday, when they visit Boston College. Puck drop is set for 7 pm from Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill.

Game Summary

Saturday, February 22, 2020

2
3
Game statistics
43 Shots 25
1 / 4 Power Plays 1 / 3
5 / 10 PIM 7 / 22
15-11-6 Records 9-21-3
GOAL SCORERS
Providence Merrimack
Patrick Moynihan (12)
1st/8:58
Declan Carlile (4)
1st/14:19
Patrick Moynihan (13)
1st/16:16 PP
Tyler Irvine (13)
2nd/10:46 PP
Liam Walsh (5)
3rd/16:17  GW
GOALTENDERS
Providence Merrimack
Michael Lackey
58:23, 22 Saves, 3 GA
(L, 15-11-6)

Empty Net
1:37, 0 GA
Troy Kobryn
60:00, 41 Saves, 2 GA
(W, 4-8-1)