University of Massachusetts scored once with the extra attacker on late in the third, but were unable to complete the comeback, falling 3-2 to Merrimack at Lawler Rink on Friday night. The setback leaves the Minutemen at 10-10-2 on the year, 3-7-2 in league action, while the Warriors improve to 9-11-1 overall and 5-6-1 in Hockey East play.
“It’s real simple,” said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. “Our sixth and seventh defensemen were exposed and we can’t score on the power play. That’s the game.”
Merrimack opened the scoring at the 7:11 mark of the second period as an outlet pass from the defensive zone from Ivan Zvlak helped Nick Pierre get in behind the UMass defense to beat goaltender Michael Hrabal one-on-one.
The Minutemen leveled the score at 1-1 moments later. Aydar Suniev intercepted a clearing attempt and carried the puck from the UMass end into the attacking zone and fired a shot home from the high slot for his 14th goal of the year 11:08 into the period.
Just 1:57 into the third period, the Warriors pulled back in front. Tyler Young finished off a feed from Ethan Bono on the rush to put Merrimack ahead, 2-1.
The Warriors added what would prove to be much needed insurance on the power play at 18:09. Michael Emmerson snagged the puck off turnover and fed Ty Daneault in front. Daneault’s initial attempt was stopped, but he managed to put back his own rebound for the two-goal cushion.
With Hrabal to the bench for an extra attacker, UMass got one of the goals back with freshman Francesco Dell’Elce and Lucas Mercuri setting up Daniel Jencko’s one-timer from the right faceoff circle that closed the gap to 3-2 at 19:13.
The Minutemen kept the pressure on in the closing seconds, but were unable to find the equalizer.UMass and Merrimack finished level in shots at 33 apiece, while the Minutemen were 0-for-4 on the power play and the Warriors went 1-for-3.
Hrabal made 30 saves in net for the Minutemen and Nils Wallstrom turned aside 31 for Merrimack.
The teams will be back in action tomorrow, January 18, at the Mullins Center at 7 p.m.
