NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Nick Pierre scored twice on the power play in the third period, and Merrimack extended its unbeaten streak to eight games (6-0-2) with a 6-2 win over Holy Cross on Friday night at Lawler Arena.
It’s the Warriors’ longest unbeaten streak in nearly 10 years, and their 6-1-2 start is their best since 2011-12, when they opened 9-0-1 and rose to No. 1 in the nation.
“We’re happy with the win,” Merrimack coach Scott Borek said. “We were a little loose, but only giving up two goals was a testament to our goaltending. [Linards Feldbergs] made some big saves, and we limited their second chances.”
Pierre tied for the national lead in goals
With two more goals Friday, Pierre is tied with Michigan’s Jayden Perron for the national lead with 10. He’s three shy of his career high of 13, set last season.
Going back to 1999, as far back as game-by-game data is available, Pierre’s 10 goals over his last eight games are the most by any Merrimack player in an eight-game span. The previous best was nine, by Chris Barton from Jan. 9 to Feb. 6, 2010.
“This can’t happen without everyone else around me,” Pierre said. “I’m a shooter, I think the guys in our room know that, and they’ve done a great job looking to get me the puck. I couldn’t be more fortunate.”
Merrimack’s offense continues feverish pace
Merrimack has scored 42 goals through nine games, the fourth-best offense in the country after Friday’s games at 4.7 goals per game.
By comparison, the Warriors didn’t score their 42nd goal last season until Dec. 12, in their 16th game.
“The thing is, we understand that we have to grind to keep getting those chances,” Borek said. “We have a lot of depth of sticks on our team. I think even more than we had last year. All four of our lines can score. That’s really fun. We really haven’t been in that position before. Every night it’s a different line getting us jumpstarted.
“We have a good hockey team, here.”
The Warriors also continue to get production from the back end. Seamus Powell entered the weekend leading all Hockey East defensemen in points, and on Friday, Nathan King got the scoring started late in the first period, while Ethan Beyer had two assists.
“All of our D are contributing,” Borek said. “We’re getting pucks to the net, and down low. King has a bomb. We’re really confident in that group. I’ve never seen our D so comfortable with the puck on our stick.”
King added: “We have all nine D who can play every night. It’s unfortunate that two guys have to sit.
“You didn’t see us scoring five or six goals a lot in my first two seasons, so it’s nice to have some scoring. I think it’s the returners all gaining more confidence, and that instills confidence in our freshmen as well.”
Notebook: David Green left the game with an injury
— David Green left in the first period after taking a hit along the wall and didn’t return. Borek said after the game that the Warriors wouldn’t know more about his condition until Saturday.
— The Warriors had their best night of the season in the faceoff circle, winning 33 of 57. Parker Lalonde led the way at 10-6.
— There were 15 combined power plays. Merrimack went 3-for-8, and Holy Cross went 1-for-7.
— There were also two buzzer-beaters. Mavrick Lachance scored for the Warriors with 1.6 seconds left in the first period, and William Elias scored for Holy Cross with one second left in the second.
Scoring Summary
Quick Takeaways
— To me, the two goals the Warriors allowed mattered more than the six they scored.
