Northeastern ends Merrimack's season in double-overtime heartbreaker
NORTH ANDOVER — Merrimack’s first-round playoff game against Northeastern, and ultimately the Warriors’ season, came down to the bounce of a puck.
In the second overtime, Northeastern defenseman Jackson Dorrington fired a shot from the right point. Merrimack defenseman Cam Kungle played it perfectly, and blocked the shot. The puck then careened off his leg and to the left slot where Dylan Hryckowian was waiting to blast a one-timer into the net, giving the Huskies the win.
“We got the block, which was huge, and it went right on [Hryckowian’s] stick,” Merrimack coach Scott Borek said. “Max [Lundgren] wasn’t able to get over there. That’s a tough thing for a goalie. When the puck changes directions like that and it’s not off his own body, it’s very hard to make that next save. Overall I thought Max played great, and there wasn’t a breakdown or anything on that last goal. They just made a play.”
Merrimack’s season ended with the loss.
“I get pretty connected to my teams,” Borek said. “I’m an emotional guy. I know that these guys put a lot on the line this year. We went through a lot as a group. My favorite thing to do is to stand in front of a group of players that I care about. It’s my favorite thing in the world. It’s the best part of this job. And I really care about this group. I’m sad that it ended for this group because I felt like we deserved a better fate. But credit Northeastern. They won the game.”
Youth continued to be on display
Merrimack’s goal scorers were Seamus Powell (sophomore) and Caelan Fitzpatrick (freshman). Starting goalie Max Lundgren (sophomore) made 38 saves.
That’s a sign of how much Merrimack’s underclassmen improved throughout the season.
“I’m really excited about the way that group played,” Borek said. “This is the first step. Our team needs to continue to grow. I really believe this is a stepping point for our team. Losing right now, it’s awful. It’s so sudden. But I know looking back at the whole year, this team really grew a lot and with so many young guys playing big minutes, that’s exciting.
“We worked all year to create an identity. Now we have to continue that into the spring and the summer and into next fall.”
Northeastern (13-19-3): 0-1-1-0-1--3
Merrimack (13-21-1): 0-2-0-0-0--2
First Period: None.
Second Period:. 1. NU Cristophe Tellier 5 (Cam Lund, Jack Williams), ev, 6:20; 2. MC Seamus Powell 5 (Ty Daneault, Caelan Fitzpatrick), ev, 7:21; 3. MC Caelan Fitzpatrick 6 (Colby Enns, Josef Mysak), ev, 15:44.
Third Period: 4. NU Jack Williams 16 (Dylan Hryckowian, Cam Lund), ev, 7:18.
OT1: None
OT2: 5. NU Dylan Hryckowian 16 (Jackson Dorrington, Vinny Borgesi), ev, 4:39.
Shots: MC 6-13-9-9-4--41; NU 9-13-9-14-1--46
Saves: MC Lundgren (84:39) 38/41; NU Whitehead (84:39) 44/46
Power Play: MC 0 for 2; NU 0 for 2
Pen-PIM: MC 2-4; NU 2-4
Attendance: 1,987