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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Alright, that will do it for the live coverage tonight. I'll be back with a game story in a bit. That's free for everyone. Subscribers will also get my takeaways. Thanks for following along tonight. Merrimack improves to 1-1 on the season. For now, goodnight from Lawler Arena.
FINAL: Merrimack defeats Sacred Heart, 4-2. Two third-period goals for the Warriors from Liam Walsh and Max Newton are the difference. SOG 36-27 Warriors. Attempts 71-54 Warriors. 25 saves for Zach Borgiel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Three Stars
1. Max Newton (MC)
2. Braeden Tuck (SHU)
3. Zach Borgiel (MC)
Alright, that will do it for the live coverage tonight. I'll be back with a game story in a bit. That's free for everyone. Subscribers will also get my takeaways. Thanks for following along tonight. Merrimack improves to 1-1 on the season. For now, goodnight from Lawler Arena.
FINAL: Merrimack defeats Sacred Heart, 4-2. Two third-period goals for the Warriors from Liam Walsh and Max Newton are the difference. SOG 36-27 Warriors. Attempts 71-54 Warriors. 25 saves for Zach Borgiel.
24.1 left
Last minute. SHU net is empty.
3:27 left. Updates might be slower because I've started writing. Earlier deadline tonight! But I'll provide necessary updates.
Good PP chance for the Warriors. Continued to generate chances. 5:39 left. 4-2 MC.
Newton from Jefferies and Uens is the official scoring on that goal.
Absolutely beautiful feed by Alex Jefferies on Newton's goal. The vision, the pass, it was all perfect.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Max Newton makes it 4-2 Warriors with 10:05 left.
Drevitch with a bid off a shorthanded 2-on-1.
Zivlak off for hooking. SHU on the PP.
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.
SOG now 24-18 Warriors. Attempts are 53-35 Warriors.
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.
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.
Game on in the 3rd. 2-2 the score.
End of 2: 2-2 game. SOG 23-15 Warriors and attempts are 49-29 MC.
We'll have to wait for the scoring.
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.
MERRIMACK GOAL: Back to 2-2 with 0:42 left. PP goal.
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.
SHU GOAL: The Pioneers take a 2-1 lead with 2:00 left in the 2nd period.
Robbins responds with a point-blank save on Durflinger.
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.
HUGE save by Borgiel.
Sorry, 1-1.
5:51 left in the 2nd, 101.
The puck just got stuck in the roof. First time I can remember seeing that.
Things are getting chippy in this one. There's a lot of activity happening after whistles.
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.
Shot attempts are 35-24 Merrimack. SOG 14-11 Warriors.
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.
There's the first one ... Robbins went 8:20 without having to make a save, by my count.
Robbins has been in the game for almost 8 minutes and Merrimack hasn't tested him with a SOG yet.
Todd Goehring rings a shot off the bar. Sacred Heart continues to control the play in the secnod.
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.
SHU head coach CJ Marottolo is screaming at referee Tim Benedetto for a too-many-men call. He's not getting it.
Sacred Heart has had the better of the play in the first 5 minutes of the period.
Max Newton just had a gorgeous chance in the slot. Looked like it sailed a little high and wide.
Robbins is a junior. He has appeared in 4 games and has a 5.93 GAA with an .851 save percentage.
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.
Braeden Tuck tucked a shot under the crossbar.
SACRED HEART GOAL: The Pioneers tie it up, 1-1, 34 seconds into the second period.
Game on in the 2nd period.
End of 1: Merrimack leads Sacred Heart 1-0. SOG 11-8 Warriors.
1:00 left in the 1st.
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.
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.
Regan Kimens scored the goal. Assists go to Mac Welsher and Jake Durflinger. 12:33 the time of the goal.