| Matchup |
Merrimack (2-7-2, 0-5-2 HEAW)
vs. Maine (3-3-2, 1-2-1 HEAW) |
| Date/Time |
Friday, Nov. 8 (2:07 PM) | Tickets |
| Venue |
Lawler Rink | North Andover, Mass. |
| Multimedia |
Video | Live Stats |
| Social |
Twitter | Instagram |
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack Warriors host the University of Maine Black Bears for a single Hockey East contest on Friday, November 8 with puck drop at 2 p.m.
The Warriors return home after a weekend series against the Minnesota State-Mankato of the WCHA in Mankato, despite being tied heading into the third period in both games. This is the first of three meetings between the Warriors and Black Bears this season after Merrimack swept the season series last year. Merrimack took the first game, 5-1 in Falmouth, Maine, before taking a 3-0 and 3-1 victory at home in January 2019.
Five Things to Know:
• Senior
Mikyla Grant-Mentis leads the team in goals and points, with eight goals and four helpers through 11 games this season. Grant-Mentis has scored a goal in five straight games.
• Two freshmen were impactful in Minnesota, as
Katie Kaufman had a takeaway and an unassisted goal to bring Merrimack back within a goal in the third period in the second game.
Dani Castino scored her first career goal on Friday for Merrimack's second in the game.
• Three Warriors are in the top five in Hockey East for blocked shots this season.
Gabby Jones is second in the conference with 26, followed behind
Julia MacLean in fourth at 24 and
Chloe Cook at 22 blocks for third.
• In all conference games so far, Merrimack opponents have put at least 25 shots on goal. In the last conference weekend, Vermont combined for 68 shots on net. Overall, the Warriors averages 32.3 shots against per game, Merrimack faced 39 shots on goal in Friday's game against Minnesota State.
• Power play contributions have been evenly distributed for the Warriors, with nine different goal scorers on the advantage.
A Look at the Black Bears:
Maine comes to North Andover after a weekend away from play. The Black Bears had an impactful weekend in Hockey East play their last weekend out, taking a 3-0 win at UNH on Oct. 25 on a shutout by Loryn Porter. The team took to the conference-leading Boston College Eagles on Saturday, Oct. 26, scoring two power play goals in the third period to earn a point in conference play.
The team's offense is once again led by Tereza Vanisova, who has five goals and seven points through eight games so far this season. In conference play, the team points leader is junior defender Taylor Leech, with a goal and three assists through four Hockey East games.
The Black Bears have had both goaltenders splitting time this season. Senior Carly Jackson has started in five, taking a 1.96 GAA and .921 save percentage with a 1-2-1 record. Junior Loryn Porter has started in four, taking three shutouts alongside a 1.38 GAA and .933 save percentage.
Maine has been dominant away from home, taking a 3-0-1 record on the road with an 0-3-1 record at Alfond Arena.
Inside the Matchup
| Merrimack (2-7-2, 0-5-2 HEAW) |
Category |
Maine (3-3-2, 1-2-1 HEAW) |
| 5-3 L (11/2 vs Vermont) |
Last Game |
3-3 T (10/26 at Boston College) |
| 2.09 |
Scoring Offense |
2.62 |
| 3.55 |
Scoring Defense |
1.88 |
| 24.9 |
Shots/Game |
29.1 |
| 32.3 |
Shots Allowed/Game |
23.8 |
| 9-47 |
PPG-Chances |
9-41 |
| 19.1% |
PP% |
22.0% |
| 33-42 |
PK-Chances |
35-40 |
| 78.6% |
PK% |
87.5% |
| 44-102 |
Penalties-PIM |
42-84 |
| 9.3 |
PIM/Game |
10.5 |
Up Next
Merrimack take on a home-and-home with Holy Cross, traveling to Worcester on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7:05 p.m. with the game available locally on NESNplus, before returning home for a 6 p.m. puck drop on Friday, Nov. 15.
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For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
