North Andover, MA- The Merrimack College women's ice hockey team entered the third period down two goals but they would bombard the Providence Friars for four unanswered goals to pick up a 4-2 win in their final home game at Lawler Arena in the 2024-25 season on Friday evening.
Merrimack (8-21-4, 5-17-4): 4, Providence (19-11-3, 15-9-2): 2
Providence attacked from the opening puck drop, as Margaux Favre turned away 18 Friars shots in the opening 20 minutes, with only one leaking through to give Providence the lead after one.
In the second, Favre would continue her stellar play as she made 13 more stops but Providence would double the advantage on a 5 on 3 powerplay at 17:52 of the frame.
In the third period, Merrimack would need only 70 seconds as Tara Blackburn, playing in her 100th game for the Warriors, fired in the shot from the right circle. Rachel Bjorgan tied the game 80 seconds later as she forced a turnover and scored on the breakaway, unassisted. Bjorgan struck again as Abby Poitras point shot deflected off Solveig Gisler and the pop up rebound was batted home to give the Warriors the lead. Merrimack put the game to bed as Bjorgan won an offensive zone draw back to Payten Evans who would power home the shot to give Merrimack a 4-2 lead that wouldn't be threatened from there on.
Notes and Numbers:
- Rachel Bjorgan had two goals and one assist in the win.
- Payten Evans goal was her second of the season.
- Tara Blackburn played in her 100th game and scored her first goal of the season.
- Abby Poitras had two assists, Solveig Gisler, and Chloe Goofers had one each as well.
- Margaux Favre made 36 saves in the win.
- Merrimack Captain Raice Szott played her 150th game for the Warriors this evening.
UP NEXT:
The Warriors travel to play Providence on Saturday, February 22 at 2 PM for the final regular season game of the year.
