Welcome to tonight’s live blog. Follow for live updates and instant thoughts as the Warriors host the Pioneers at Lawler Arena.
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3 minutes into the game. Liam Walsh a little slow to get up after taking what looked like a high hit into the end boards. Looked like the finish was high. No call. Walsh skates off pleading his case to the officials.
Sorry - running a little late tonight because my son had a game. Just settling in as the puck dropped. Merrimack controlled the first 6-7 minutes of the period. They had a 6-1 SOG edge at one point. It's settled back down now and SOG has an 8-3 edge in shots
Merrimack doing a nice job of utilizing the points in the first period. The SHU wingers have had a tendency to crash down low in the D zone and it's leaving open opportunities up top.
Sacred Heart's goalie appears to be hurt. It was hard to tell what happened. It didn't look like there was any contact made at the net. Josh Benson leaves the game here and junior Justin Robbins is coming on in relief.
Media timeout with 11:55 left. 1-1. Sacred Herat has definitely had the better of the play here in the second period. Warriors need to find a way to take the momentum back.
Some good pressure there for the Warriors. Robbins is very jumpy and scrambles in the crease. If the Warriors continue to pressure like that and flood him with shots, they're going to have opportunities to score. The more chaos they can create in front of the crease, the better for them.
This is the first time I'm getting a close look at Borgiel's mask. It's very cool. I like the design a lot. His whole setup is really nice, from the mask down to the pad design.
Much better 5-minutes stretch here for the Warriors, despite the chance they just allowed where Borgiel bailed them out. They're beginning to apply pressure on Robbins.
On SHU's second goal, Borgiel made the initial save from the point. But, there wasn't an MC defender between the two net-front forwards for SHU and the net. Ryan Steele jammed in the rebound.
Declan Carlile took the initial shot from the point. It looked like it changed directions right in front of Robbins, but it was difficult to tell if it hit a MC player or a SHU defender.
For the first time in 595 days, the game is on at Lawler Arena.
3 minutes into the game. Liam Walsh a little slow to get up after taking what looked like a high hit into the end boards. Looked like the finish was high. No call. Walsh skates off pleading his case to the officials.
Sorry - running a little late tonight because my son had a game. Just settling in as the puck dropped. Merrimack controlled the first 6-7 minutes of the period. They had a 6-1 SOG edge at one point. It's settled back down now and SOG has an 8-3 edge in shots
MERRIMACK GOAL: The Warriors take a 1-0 lead in the first period.
Regan Kimens will get his first goal of the season. Mac Welsher slid the puck over to him and he was able to attack the net with his feet moving. 1-0.
Regan Kimens scored the goal. Assists go to Mac Welsher and Jake Durflinger. 12:33 the time of the goal.
3:36 left in the period. Durflinger got the puck to the net again and Welsher had a chance. He also took a shot in the face after the whistle.
Merrimack doing a nice job of utilizing the points in the first period. The SHU wingers have had a tendency to crash down low in the D zone and it's leaving open opportunities up top.
1:00 left in the 1st.
End of 1: Merrimack leads Sacred Heart 1-0. SOG 11-8 Warriors.
Game on in the 2nd period.
SACRED HEART GOAL: The Pioneers tie it up, 1-1, 34 seconds into the second period.
Braeden Tuck tucked a shot under the crossbar.
Sacred Heart's goalie appears to be hurt. It was hard to tell what happened. It didn't look like there was any contact made at the net. Josh Benson leaves the game here and junior Justin Robbins is coming on in relief.
Robbins is a junior. He has appeared in 4 games and has a 5.93 GAA with an .851 save percentage.
Max Newton just had a gorgeous chance in the slot. Looked like it sailed a little high and wide.
Sacred Heart has had the better of the play in the first 5 minutes of the period.
SHU head coach CJ Marottolo is screaming at referee Tim Benedetto for a too-many-men call. He's not getting it.
Media timeout with 11:55 left. 1-1. Sacred Herat has definitely had the better of the play here in the second period. Warriors need to find a way to take the momentum back.
Todd Goehring rings a shot off the bar. Sacred Heart continues to control the play in the secnod.
Robbins has been in the game for almost 8 minutes and Merrimack hasn't tested him with a SOG yet.
There's the first one ... Robbins went 8:20 without having to make a save, by my count.
Some good pressure there for the Warriors. Robbins is very jumpy and scrambles in the crease. If the Warriors continue to pressure like that and flood him with shots, they're going to have opportunities to score. The more chaos they can create in front of the crease, the better for them.
Shot attempts are 35-24 Merrimack. SOG 14-11 Warriors.
This is the first time I'm getting a close look at Borgiel's mask. It's very cool. I like the design a lot. His whole setup is really nice, from the mask down to the pad design.
Things are getting chippy in this one. There's a lot of activity happening after whistles.
The puck just got stuck in the roof. First time I can remember seeing that.
5:51 left in the 2nd, 101.
Sorry, 1-1.
HUGE save by Borgiel.
Much better 5-minutes stretch here for the Warriors, despite the chance they just allowed where Borgiel bailed them out. They're beginning to apply pressure on Robbins.
Robbins responds with a point-blank save on Durflinger.
SHU GOAL: The Pioneers take a 2-1 lead with 2:00 left in the 2nd period.
On SHU's second goal, Borgiel made the initial save from the point. But, there wasn't an MC defender between the two net-front forwards for SHU and the net. Ryan Steele jammed in the rebound.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Back to 2-2 with 0:42 left. PP goal.
Declan Carlile took the initial shot from the point. It looked like it changed directions right in front of Robbins, but it was difficult to tell if it hit a MC player or a SHU defender.
We'll have to wait for the scoring.
End of 2: 2-2 game. SOG 23-15 Warriors and attempts are 49-29 MC.
Game on in the 3rd. 2-2 the score.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Warriors take a 3-2 lead with 17:46 left in the 3rd. Liam Walsh down the LW side finds room over Robbins' shoulder.
Really nice shot from Walsh for his first of the year. Good vision by Ivan Zivlak to set him up as well. First point for Zivlak.
SOG now 24-18 Warriors. Attempts are 53-35 Warriors.
As much as Merrimack has looked good for most of this game, it's still a one-goal game in the third period. They need to finish it.
Zivlak off for hooking. SHU on the PP.
Drevitch with a bid off a shorthanded 2-on-1.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Max Newton makes it 4-2 Warriors with 10:05 left.
Absolutely beautiful feed by Alex Jefferies on Newton's goal. The vision, the pass, it was all perfect.
Newton from Jefferies and Uens is the official scoring on that goal.
Good PP chance for the Warriors. Continued to generate chances. 5:39 left. 4-2 MC.
3:27 left. Updates might be slower because I've started writing. Earlier deadline tonight! But I'll provide necessary updates.