Greetings from Lawler Arena, where tonight the Merrimack College Warriors welcome #10 Massachusetts for a mid-week game. Tonight’s game is being streamed on College Sports Live. You can follow along for my live updates and analysis. If you have questions or comments during the game, interact with our coverage by commenting.
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UMass wins its second OT game against Merrimack this season. The other was a regulation-win where the game-winner game with 4 seconds left. So, three fairly even games.
These 3v3 OTs are painful. It was up-and-down action for a while, until coaches learned how to play it. Now, all it is are teams regrouping for 5 minutes.
Warriors have to find ways to get clears that don't result in icings. A few times in the last few minutes, they've iced the puck and have been unable to get changes. UMass is pressuring, as you would expect. MC needs to manage the puck better in their own end.
Merrimack is 1-0 when leading after two periods this season (that's correct, they've only led once after two periods). UMass is 1-0-2 when trailing after two periods.
An incredible shift by Steven Jandric. He drew the penalty in the corner by moving his feet toward the net and getting dragged down. Then on the delayed penalty, Jandric made his way to the point and fired a shot that beat Matt Muray. Warriors up 1-0 and going on the PP.
Big kill by MC. A few misfires - Bobby Trivigno kept a few clears in with a great effort at the point, but Merrimack gets the game back to 5v5 and survived its first headache of the night.
Alright ... well that will do it for live coverage tonight. Be sure to check back later for all of our postgame coverage.
UMass wins its second OT game against Merrimack this season. The other was a regulation-win where the game-winner game with 4 seconds left. So, three fairly even games.
Merrimack falls to 0-4 in OT this season.
UMASS GOAL: UMass wins, 3-2, in overtime. Bobby Trivigno scores.
If no one scores - a shootout
1:04 to play.
These 3v3 OTs are painful. It was up-and-down action for a while, until coaches learned how to play it. Now, all it is are teams regrouping for 5 minutes.
To OT we go
Merrimack is 0-3 in OT this season. The Warriors have not yet had a game go to a shootout this season.
Going to OT. Game is tied, 2-2.
Timeout Merrimack
9.7 left - offensive-zone draw for MC
UMass ices the puck with 38.3 left.
Timeout UMass
1min to play
Shot from the point was re-directed by Lucas Mercuri, I believe.
UMASS GOAL: Minutemen tie the game, 2-2, with 3:22 left.
Warriors have to find ways to get clears that don't result in icings. A few times in the last few minutes, they've iced the puck and have been unable to get changes. UMass is pressuring, as you would expect. MC needs to manage the puck better in their own end.
5:53 to go, 2-1 MC
UMass kills the penalty. 5v5 with 10:51 left. Still 2-1 MC.
MC PP. Kessel received an additional 2 minutes.
Big scrum between Matthew Kessel and Liam Walsh leads to penalties. It's either matching, or an MC PP. Only Kessel's 2 minutes is on the board.
MC kills it. Back to 5v5.
Mike Brown off for hooking. UMass on the PP with the opportunity to tie the game.
Merrimack still on the PP
Game on in the 3rd
End of 2: Merrimack leads UMass, 2-1. SOG 20-16 Merrimack (10-4 MC in the 2nd). Merrimack will have 1:05 of PP time left to begin the 3rd period.
Merrimack is 1-0 when leading after two periods this season (that's correct, they've only led once after two periods). UMass is 1-0-2 when trailing after two periods.
It is Welsher's goal. From Carlile and Durflinger.
Merrimack to the PP with 55.6 left in the period.
1:00 left in the 2nd. I'll be doing intermission with Mike and John on College Sports Live shortly.
Shot from the point by Declan Carlile was tipped in front by someone. Not sure who it hit ... looks like Mac Welsher from the celebration.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Warriors take a 2-1 lead with 2:04 left in the 2nd period.
SOG 16-14 Merrimack, 6-2 MC in the period. Both teams have had to kill penalties in the last 10 minutes.
Back from photos...still 1-1
I'm headed down to take some photos. Back in a bit.
UMASS GOAL: Minutemen make it 1-1 with 10:30 left in the 2nd.
UMass back to the PP
8 minutes gone by in the 2nd. Merrimack has had the better of the chances thus far, though no one has had real prime opportunities.
Game on in the 2nd
End of 1: Merrimack leads UMass 1-0. SOG 12-9 UMass.
1:00 left in the first.
Two big hits by Jandric on this shift.
Merrimack is 5-2 this season when scoring the first goal of the game. UMass is 1-3 when the opponent scores first.
Interesting changeup on Merrimack's PP. Ben Brar is on the half wall and Jandric is the net-front guy.
An incredible shift by Steven Jandric. He drew the penalty in the corner by moving his feet toward the net and getting dragged down. Then on the delayed penalty, Jandric made his way to the point and fired a shot that beat Matt Muray. Warriors up 1-0 and going on the PP.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Merrimack leads UMass 1-0 with 6:59 left in the 1st period.
Big kill by MC. A few misfires - Bobby Trivigno kept a few clears in with a great effort at the point, but Merrimack gets the game back to 5v5 and survived its first headache of the night.
Back to 5v5.
Jefferies is out. 5v4.