Heather Mixter
Media Credit: Hockey East
For the first time in program history the Merrimack College Men’s Hockey Team are Hockey East Champions. In an incredible 10 day stint, the Warriors worked their way to the top.
Starting on Wednesday, March 11, they would defeat the UMass Lowell River Hawks in a 5-3 victory at Lawler Rink. Their next game on Saturday, March 14, was against Providence College, who were the first ranked team in Hockey East. The final score would be a 3-2 win for the Warriors in overtime with a goal from sophomore Trevor Hoskin. The next stop would be the TD Garden, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Friday’s afternoon game was a spectacular win for the Warriors. Another upset in their 2-0 win against the UMass Amherst Minutemen who were ranked second in Hockey East. Now there would be a new challenge. The UConn Huskies.
While the Huskies were ranked third in Hockey East, they were the only team that the Warriors were lined up to play in the tournament that they had not won against all season. This game was about to be a huge challenge.
The first period would end scoreless. 2 minutes and 29 seconds into the second period, sophomore Ryan O’Connell would score his second goal for the weekend to make the score 1-0 Warriors. 17 minutes into the period UConn would score to tie the game.
Third period. 1-1 score. Everything on the line. The last 20 minutes of the game needed to be all or nothing. The Warriors delivered.
Sophomore Caelen Fitzpatrick would score only 29 seconds into the third. 2-1, Warriors. The score would remain this way, and as the last two minutes of the game approached, the support from Warrior Nation was heard around the Garden. The stands had been full all game and louder than the night before, but for the last two minutes, every Merrimack fan in attendance was on their feet. Time wound down. 1 minute. 30 seconds. 10 seconds. 5 seconds. The buzzer rang but it could barely be heard over the roar of the crowd.
Junior goaltender Max Lundgren won Most Valuable Player with a total of 49 saves on 50 shots. Sophomores Nathan King, Ryan O’Connell and Trevor Hoskin, along with Lundgren would also make the All Tournament Team. The team would celebrate, skating towards the fans, and lifting The Lamoriello Trophy over their heads for all of Warrior Nation to see.
History was made last night. 37 years. First Hockey East Championship. An automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament to make a push for the Frozen Four. The Warriors have some time to celebrate but they are back on the road for Thursday, March 26 to face the second ranked team nationally, North Dakota in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Even though they are champions, there is still plenty more hockey for the Warriors to play.
