HOCKEY EAST HEADLINES

The Merrimack Warriors won their first-ever Hockey East Tournament title with a 2-1 victory over UConn. Max Lundgren posted 49 saves, a record for a Hockey East championship game that was decided in regulation, to earn MVP honors after a 24-save shutout in the semifinals.

Merrimack is the first eight seed to reach the championship game and the first team to defeat the first, second, and third seeded programs in the Hockey East Tournament.

Warriors head coach Scott Borek is the third consecutive and fifth-ever coach to win the Lamoriello Trophy as an assistant coach and a head coach, following Ben Barr, Greg Brown, Jim Madigan, and David Quinn.

UConn, Merrimack, and Providence each earned bids into the NCAA Tournament and all three will compete on Thursday. Providence and Merrimack will both head to the Sioux Falls Regional, where the Warriors will duel North Dakota while the Friars take on Quinnipiac. UConn has earned a date with Michigan State in the Worcester Regional.

A total of 31,332 fans attending the Hockey East championship weekend, with over 15,000 entering TD Garden each day. It is just the second time since 2006 that attendance has crested 15,000 on each day and the third-highest total attendance number over the last 20 years.

BOSTON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Ryan O'Connell - Merrimack

Ryan O'Connell (So., F; Moorestown, N.J.) scored a goal in each game of the semifinals and final and was selected to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team. He had the first tally in both games, including the game-winner in Friday’s 2-0 victory.

PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Parker Lalonde - Merrimack

Parker Lalonde (Fr., F; Aberdeen, Sask.) had an assist in each game of the Warriors’ Hockey East Tournament run, all primary helpers.

ARMY ROTC DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

Tom Messineo - UConn

Tom Messineo (Sr., D; Westwood, Mass.) led Hockey East with 10 blocks last week, helping lead UConn into the Hockey East title game for the second year in a row. He was named to the Steve Nazro All-Tournament Team for his efforts.

STOP IT GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Max Lundgren - Merrimack

Max Lundgren (Jr., G; Angelholm, Sweden) was named MVP of the Hockey East Tournament after making 83 saves in the semifinals and final at TD Garden to backbone the Warriors to their first-ever title. He kicked out all 24 shots he faced on in Friday’s 2-0 blanking of UMass and then set a championship record with 49 saves in regulation.

HOCKEY EAST TOP PERFORMERS

Dean Letourneau, BC (So., F; Toronto, Ont.) Was named to the Steve Nazro All-Tournament Team after scoring three goals and adding an assist in two playoff games for the Eagles. He scored twice in the semifinals at TD Garden.

Trevor Hoskin, MC (So., F; Belleville, Ont.) Earned a spot on the Steve Nazro All-Tournament Team for his effort in helping the Warriors to their first-ever Hockey East Tournament title.

Nathan King, MC (So., D; Victoria, B.C.) Tabbed for the Steve Nazro All-Tournament Team as he helped Merrimack claim the Lamoriello Trophy for the first time. He scored a goal and added an assist in Merrimack’s 3-2 win over Providence in the quarterfinals.