PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College women's hockey team defeated Merrimack, 4-0, on Saturday, Feb. 22, at PC's Schneider Arena. With the win, the Friars finished the regular season 20-11-3 overall and 16-9-2 in Hockey East play. Merrimack fell to 8-22-4 overall and 5-18-4 in conference action. It marked the third time under head coach Matt Kelly that Providence reached the 20-win mark and the first time since the 2022-23 season.
SCORE
Providence - 4 | Merrimack - 0
RECORDS
Providence - 20-11-3 (16-9-2 HEAW) | Merrimack - 8-22-4 (5-18-4 HEAW)
VENUE
Schneider Arena | Providence, R.I.
GAME FLOW & NOTES
-Providence opened the scoring on the power play 4:45 into the first period when Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) netted her first goal of the season. Millie Sirum (Oslo, Norway) and Jessie Pellerin (Bowmanville, Ontario) recorded assists.
-At 7:33 of the first period, Hannah Johnson (Readfield, Maine) scored her second goal of the weekend to give the Friars a 2-0 lead. Lily Hendrikson (Edina, Minn.) and Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) added assists. Kirchmair's helper was her team-leading 18th of the season.
-Kirchmair extended the lead in the second period, scoring her 18th goal of the season on the power play. Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) and Johnson assisted. The goal marked Kirchmair's 10th multi-point game of the season, the first Friar to reach that mark. Johnson secured her second multi-point game of the weekend and ninth of the season.
-The Friars had not scored multiple power-play goals in a game since netting three against Saint Michael's in the season opener.
-Kirchmair sealed the victory with an empty-net, shorthanded goal at 1:59 of the third period. The unassisted tally marked her fourth game this season with three or more points. She finished the regular season with 30 points in conference play and 37 overall.
-Goaltender Hope Walinski (Lincoln, R.I.) recorded 11 saves in the shutout, her fourth of the season and 10th of her career.
-With the win, the Friars reached 20 victories for the third time under head coach Matt Kelly. -Providence finished the regular season 14-3-2 at home.
-The Friars improved to 18-1-0 when scoring three or more goals and 8-3-0 following a loss. -Providence now leads the all-time series against Merrimack, 26-3-2, and won the season series, 2-1-0.
-The Friars secured the No. 4 seed in the Hockey East Tournament and will host Northeastern University in the quarterfinals next Saturday.
STAT COMPARISON
Providence - 4
Shots: 25
Face-offs: 27/47
Power plays: 2/3
Penalty Kill: 4/4
Merrimack - 0
Shots: 11
Face-offs: 20/47
Power plays: 0/4
Penalty Kill: 1/3
PC GAME HIGHS
Shots on Goal: Kirchmair (4) Blocks: Cavaliere, Clarke (2) Goals: Kirchmair (2) Assists: Six players (1) Points: Kirchmair (3)
UP NEXT
Providence will host a quarterfinal game in the Hockey East Tournament at Schneider Arena next Saturday against Northeastern University. Timing of the game is still to be determined.
