Bono scores twice and Sacco nets the game-winner as Merrimack tops UConn
Antonio Venuto also scored for the Warriors and Max Lundgren made 32 saves
NORTH ANDOVER — David Sacco is great at his job.
Merrimack head coach Scott Borek knows that Sacco brings the Warriors energy, whether winning a race or finishing a check.
“His whole line has been great,” Borek said. “I really trust them at any point in the game.”
On Friday night, Sacco’s job wasn’t just to bring energy. Sacco scored the game-winning goal in Merrimack’s 4-1 win over UConn at Lawler Arena. Winning a race to a puck, Sacco’s third-period goal was his first of the season.
“It started in the D zone,” Sacco said. “The puck got worked to my side and I just saw the puck jump and I got lucky because the defenseman who was going for it stumbled for a second and I was able to get by him. We’ve obviously been a little snake bitten, so the only thing for me was getting the puck on net. I saw a little opening far side so I put it there and I was lucky enough that it went in.”
Sacco has played with Luke Weilandt and freshman Ryan O’Connell, and their minutes have steadily increased over the last few games. They’ve provided the Warriors with a much-needed spark.
“We know we need to be reliable in our own end,” Sacco said. “But once the puck gets out, we want to use our feet and finish checks hard. I want to make sure the other team doesn’t want to pick up the puck. That’s what we talk about. If we have the chance to finish a hit, make sure we finish that hit.”
Ethan Bono scored twice for the Warriors, extending Merrimack’s lead to 3-1 on a nifty backhand move. Bono scored an empty-net goal to seal the 4-1 win late in the third period.
It was a breakout game for the sophomore, who was a healthy scratch for the first time this season last Saturday at Maine.
“He was a healthy on Saturday,” Borek said. “He was really good tonight. He responded. We moved him to the wing, which I think helped him relax. It took some of the defensive pressure and responsibility off of him. He played really hard and relaxed after that. He got that opportunity, and he finished it. That was an important goal for our team. Getting up 3-1 made us all feel more comfortable.”
Merrimack goaltender Max Lundgren made 32 saves. The only goal he allowed was a power-play goal in the second period.
“He was really good,” Borek said. “He stayed on pucks, so he made it look easy. He was tracking very well and when that happens we were able to play with a lot of confidence in front of him.”
The Warriors and Huskies will close out the home-and-home series on Saturday afternoon at Toscano Forum in Storrs, Conn.
