HOCKEY EAST HEADLINES

The 2025-26 Hockey East season began with a bang, as Merrimack split a weekend series with #7 Clarkson at Lawler Rink. Freshman goaltender Lauren Lyons made 43 saves to backbone the Warriors to a 5-3 victory over the Golden Knights.

Holy Cross jumped out to a 2-0-0 start for the first time in eight years with a sweep of RPI. Senior netminder Brooke Loranger posted the second shutout of her career with 22 saves in Saturday’s 3-0 win. The Crusaders travel to Delaware next week for the first-ever meeting with the Blue Hens, who began Division I play this season.

#12 UConn skated to a split with #13 St. Cloud thanks in part to 63 saves from graduate goaltender Tia Chan, who allowed just two even-strength goals on the weekend.

Northeastern took a 6-0 win over Concordia in exhibiton play, while Boston University took a 4-4 tie and shootout win over the Canadian squad and Providence toppled Sacred Heart, 6-1, in preseason play.

Next week sees a slew of nationally ranked opponents for Hockey East, as Maine travels to #1 Wisconsin, #3 Minnesota comes to Boston University, UConn hits the road to #7 Clarkson, #8 Penn State plays at Vermont, and Providence duels #10 Quinnipiac.

HOCKEY EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Brooke Loranger - Holy Cross

Brooke Loranger (Sr., G; Niagara on the Lake, Ont.) made 22 saves on all 22 shots she faced in her first start of the year to backbone Holy Cross to a 3-0 shutout win over RPI. Her shutout lifted Holy Cross to its first 2-0-0 start in eight seasons.

PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Lauren Lyons - Merrimack

Lauren Lyons (Fr., G; Leduc, Alta.) debuted for the Warriors with a 43-save performance against #7 Clarkson, helping lift Merrimack to a 5-3 victory over the Golden Knights.

HOCKEY EAST DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

Hailey Eikos - Merrimack

Hailey Eikos (Jr., D; Brooklyn Park, Minn.) made her Merrimack debut with three assists and a plus-one rating in a split weekend with #7 Clarkson. She dished out two primary assists, including on the game-winning goal, in Saturday’s 5-3 victory.

STOP IT GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Tia Chan - UConn

Tia Chan (Gr., G; Hamilton, Ont.) began her fifth season in net for the Huskies with a 1-1-0 record, kicking out 63 of 66 shots she faced from #13 St. Cloud State. She made 36 stops, including double digits in each period, of Saturday’s 2-1 win. The lone goal she allowed on Saturday game on a penalty shot.

HOCKEY EAST TOP PERFORMERS

Livvy Dewar, UConn (Rothesay, N.B.) Factored in on both power-play goals, including scoring the game-winning strike, in a 2-1 win over #13 St. Cloud State on Saturday.

Kyla Josifovic, UConn (Sr., F; Burlington, Ont.) Dished out an assist in each game of a split weekend with #13 St. Cloud State, including setting up the game-winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 win.

Lulu Rourke, HC (Jr., F; Wellesley, Mass.) Scored the Crusaders’ first goal in a 2-1 victory over RPI on Friday. She added an assist on Reghan Chadwick’s goal during Saturday’s 3-0 win over RPI.

Ella Malloy, HC (Fr., D; Carp, Ont.) Potted the game-winning goal in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over RPI while making her collegiate debut. She also blocked one shot and finished the game with a plus-two rating.

Kendall Sundby, Maine (So., D; Hammond, Wis.) Posted two points on two assists against #10 Quinnipiac, including a plus-two rating and three blocked shots.

Mackenzie Podewell, Maine (Fr., F; Wheaton, Ill.) Scored her first collegiate goal against #10 Quinnipiac, converting on her only shot on net while blocking four shots.

Gracie Hanson, Maine (So., F; Lakeville, Minn.) Netted a shorthanded goal against #10 Quinnipiac and added a blocked shot.