NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Merrimack College men's ice hockey team needed the shootout to snag the extra point as they played to a scoreless tie before winning 1-0 in the shootout against the New Hampshire Wildcats on Friday night.
Merrimack (1-2-1, 0-0-1): 0 (1) , New Hampshire (1-0-0): 0 (0)
A fast paced first period was not matched by shot total as both teams had only five shots each in the opening 20 minutes of play.
In the second period, both team's had one golden chance but Merrimack's effort was blocked away and New Hampshire's shot beat the goaltender but not the post as the game remained tied headed to the third.
In the third, the Warriors best chance came after they were awarded a five minute powerplay, but they couldn't find the winner in regulation or the overtime, leaving the shootout to determine who got the extra Hockey East point.
In the shootout, Ryan Keyes stoned all three Wildcat shooters while Zach Bookman deked the opposing goalie out on a fake shot, letting the puck trickle over the line to score the lone goal of the best of three series.
Notes and Numbers:
- Ryan Keyes made 19 saves in his first ever Merrimack start and shutout.
- The last Merrimack played in a scoreless tie was on February 21st, 2015 against Vermont.
UP NEXT:
The Warriors next home game is next Saturday when they welcome the UMass Lowell Riverhawks to Lawler Arena, Puck drop is at 7 PM.
