NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Merrimack men's hockey team were marathon men tonight as they emerged victorious in double overtime, winning by a score of 1-0, eliminating the Boston College Eagles for the Hockey East Playoff and in the process have moved on the Hockey East playoff semifinals for the first time since 2011.
The Basics
Score: #14/14 Merrimack: 1 Boston College: 0
Records: #14/14 Merrimack (22-12-1, 16-8-0) | Boston College (14-16-6)
Attendance: 2,747 (SELLOUT)
In the first period, Merrimack nearly doubled up the Eagles on shots, with 12 to BC's 7, but both teams were unable to score, despite both teams having a man advantage opportunity .
In the second, it was much of the same as the intensity heightened as both goaltenders were on their game, Hugo Ollas made the highlight of the period, with a slick left to right stop on an Eagles powerplay.
In the final period of regulation, both teams refused to give an inch, laying it all on the line to pick up the win. In the final 20, the shots were only 7-5 in favor BC as both defenses blocked shots and forced shots from a distance when they could. With neither team scoring in the first 60 minutes, overtime would decide this playoff quarterfinal.
In the first overtime period, Ollas continued to shine as he made one crucial save after another, racking up 13 in total. Merrimack had the only powerplay of the overtime late in the frame but were unable to convert sending this game to the fifth period.
In double overtime, the Warriors would finally find the breakthrough as with just over eight minutes gone in the period, Ryan Leibold took the pass from Jordan Seyfert, Leibold would swing it to Mick Messner who would send the crowd of 2,747 into a frenzy as his shot snuck though the Boston College goaltender's pads to capture the win at 11:40 of the second overtime period.
Facts and Numbers:
- Mick Messner scored the game winning goal for the Warriors
- Ryan Leibold and Jordan Seyfert notched the assists on the game winner.
- Hugo Ollas made 36 saves, winning his tenth game of the season, five of them have been shutouts.
- Christian Felton blocked four shots, leading the team.
NEXT:
The Warriors will play in the Hockey East Playoff Semifinals on Friday March 17th at 7 PM against the UMass Lowell Riverhawks.
