Break Out The Brooms: Merrimack completes six-point weekend against UConn
Sacco and Bono score again for the Warriors
The Merrimack men’s hockey team picked up its first six-point weekend in Hockey East this season, completing the weekend sweep of UConn with a 5-2 win on Saturday at Toscano Forum.
David Sacco gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead just 5:36 into the game. It was Sacco’s second goal of the weekend after scoring the game-winning goal on Friday night.
Ethan Bono had two goals on Friday and added another in the second period on Saturday.
“Really proud of the way our guys responded,” said Merrimack coach Scott Borek. “It got a little scary in the end, but I loved the way we played in the D-zone. I loved the way we competed.”
Zach Bookman and Caelan Fitzpatrick also scored for the Warriors. Caden Cranston added an empty-net goal for his first collegiate goal with 0:59 left in the third period.
“We didn’t want to stop attacking,” Borek said. “I felt like, if we tried to protect the lead after two periods, that’s where things can get away from you. But in the final four or five minutes we pulled back. They had a few chances in transition and that’s where they could have hurt us. I was comfortable with the way we were defending, we didn’t want to give them any chances with numbers.”
Nils Wallstrom made 23 saves for his first win with the Warriors.
“He was tested with some big saves, especially on that shorthanded chance,” Borek said. “I’m really happy for him the way he bounced back after [last week].”
The Warriors will have a quick turnaround this week. Merrimack will play Stonehill on Tuesday night at Warrior Ice Arena in Boston.
