Welcome to tonight’s live blog. Our Live Blogs are a companion piece while you watch or listen to tonight’s game. I don’t provide play-by-play as much as it’s instant feedback on how the game is going. Think of it as a running commentary. I hope you enjoy the coverage.
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Michael Citara is down after taking a knee-to-knee hit from Jake Richard. That was ugly and should be a major. They're reviewing it now, but that's a textbook major and I wouldn't be shocked if HEA adds supplemental discipline tomorrow.
An underrated part of that play was a ridiculous play by Alex Jefferies to keep the puck in the zone with about 10 seconds left in the period. Without that play, UConn gets a clear and the period ends 3-3. Jefferies used his body to protect the puck and then slid a backhand pass through the defenders legs to Bookman. It was a perfect example on how to protect the puck. Unreal play.
Mac Welsher just got checked through the door on the Merrimack bench. Not sure what happened there, but that was scary. He went down the tunnel. Hope he'sok.
The question becomes whether or not the officials determine that Ollas had time to recover after the contact. On the Lucas contact, I think he did. But Schandor was standing over him when the goal was scored. I think they have a better chance getting the goal overturned on the Schandor contact.
They announce the goal as Bookman unassisted. That's the second announced unassisted goal for the Warriors. The first goal was almost surely not unassisted. We'll see how it gets recorded.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Warriors don't get a shot for the first 7 minutes of the period but start to put together some offense and tie the game 2-2. Looked like Alex Jefferies on the tip? We'll see.
The continual problem M. Had in second Maine game leaving offensive players wide open continues. Four M. Players almost in the crease with Olas and no one covering the shooter
UCONN GOAL: Warriors can't get the puck out down low and Schandor scored on an unconventional wraparound. He put the puck out front and then got a whack at it.
The goal stands. I thought the play was offside, but it looked like on replay you could not see the puck. It was blocked by Brar's skate. So there was no definitive proof that the play was onside or offside, so the call on the ice stands.
Nikita Borodayenko is back for the Warriors tonight. So is Adam Arvedson. The Warriors were playing with just six healthy defensemen the last two weekends.
Welcome inside Toscano Forum here at UConn. This place is gorgeous. For my money, it's the best rink in HEA. The facilities in the arena and especially what they have in place downstairs for the players (I was able to get a tour earlier) is first class. Very impressed with this building.
Looking at 5-4 Maine game a lot less negatively
Maine beat BC going away
Outshot them 26-16 2nd & 3rd periods
BC
Not feeling so negative about 5-4 Maine game
Maine about to beat them. Outshot by wide margin
Great win.
Looked like the officials told the teams not to shake hands.
FINAL: Merrimack beats UConn 6-3. Alex Jefferies with a hat trick for the Warriors.
MERRIMACK GOAL: The Warriors add one more. That one belongs to Mark Gallant, his first as a Warrior. 6-3 Merrimack.
UConn getting a bit feisty this period if I must say
Another UConn penalty. Chase Bradley off for boarding Copponi. Merrimack will have 1:00 of 5v3 time and there's 2:40 left.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Alex Jefferies completes the hat trick, 5-3 Merrimack with 3:41 left.
Another UConn penalty as well, as Schandor fired the puck down ice after the goal.
Sorry, it was Tristan Fraser - not Richard. My bad.
Michael Citara is down after taking a knee-to-knee hit from Jake Richard. That was ugly and should be a major. They're reviewing it now, but that's a textbook major and I wouldn't be shocked if HEA adds supplemental discipline tomorrow.
Bookman looking more & more like the phenom he was prior to Merrimack
Should put him out as often as possible when Jeffries is on. They think alike
Olas deserves stars 1,2&3 already
Boarding the call.
1140 to play
Getting ahead on some writing to start the third. Felton took a hit behind the goal line in the corner that leads to a Merrimack PP>
Ethan Haider now in goal for UConn.
Game on in the 3rd period. 4-3 Merrimack leads.
An underrated part of that play was a ridiculous play by Alex Jefferies to keep the puck in the zone with about 10 seconds left in the period. Without that play, UConn gets a clear and the period ends 3-3. Jefferies used his body to protect the puck and then slid a backhand pass through the defenders legs to Bookman. It was a perfect example on how to protect the puck. Unreal play.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Filip Forsmark on the PP with 1.9 seconds left in the 2nd period makes it 4-3 Warriors.
Merrimack PP
Mac Welsher just got checked through the door on the Merrimack bench. Not sure what happened there, but that was scary. He went down the tunnel. Hope he'sok.
Alright, well the goal stands. I thought the Schandor contact was enough to bring the goal back after seeing it on replay. Guess not?
The question becomes whether or not the officials determine that Ollas had time to recover after the contact. On the Lucas contact, I think he did. But Schandor was standing over him when the goal was scored. I think they have a better chance getting the goal overturned on the Schandor contact.
I take that back - there actually was quite a bit of contact. Lucas collided with Ollas, and then Schandor was on top of him in the crease.
Merrimack challenging for goalie interference. At live speed, I didn't think there was any.
UCONN GOAL: Great effort by Andrew Lucas, outworking everyone else around him to get 3 chances on that puck and tie the game 3-3.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Alex Jefferies from Zach Bookman gives the Warriors a 3-2 lead with 7:30 left in the 2nd period.
They announce the goal as Bookman unassisted. That's the second announced unassisted goal for the Warriors. The first goal was almost surely not unassisted. We'll see how it gets recorded.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Warriors don't get a shot for the first 7 minutes of the period but start to put together some offense and tie the game 2-2. Looked like Alex Jefferies on the tip? We'll see.
SOG now show 15-4. Not sure how accurate that is, but that's what it shows. It's around there, for sure.
Not much to write about here to start the second period. UConn has definitely had the better of the play.
Game on in the 2nd period
MC has got to get physical. They let UConn push them around the second half of the period. Tightening up the power play would help too.
The continual problem M. Had in second Maine game leaving offensive players wide open continues. Four M. Players almost in the crease with Olas and no one covering the shooter
I was just writing for my takeaways column that the Schandor goal looked like a Maine goal from last week.
End of 1: UConn leads Merrimack 2-1. SOG 8-4 UConn
UCONN GOAL: Warriors can't get the puck out down low and Schandor scored on an unconventional wraparound. He put the puck out front and then got a whack at it.
UConn kills it again.
Merrimack back to the PP.
UCONN GOAL: Matthew Wood ties the game 1-1 with 9:55 left in the 1st period.
UConn kills the penalty.
Merrimack now to the PP.
Alex Jefferies on the goal.
The goal stands. I thought the play was offside, but it looked like on replay you could not see the puck. It was blocked by Brar's skate. So there was no definitive proof that the play was onside or offside, so the call on the ice stands.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Merrimack takes a 1-0 lead. But this might be coming back. Looked like it was offside at live speed.
Merrimack and UConn are underway in Storrs.
Merrimack is wearing their white home jerseys tonight. UConn going with the navy third jerseys that have "Connecticut" on the front.
Nikita Borodayenko is back for the Warriors tonight. So is Adam Arvedson. The Warriors were playing with just six healthy defensemen the last two weekends.
Welcome inside Toscano Forum here at UConn. This place is gorgeous. For my money, it's the best rink in HEA. The facilities in the arena and especially what they have in place downstairs for the players (I was able to get a tour earlier) is first class. Very impressed with this building.