BOSTON — Following last night’s 2-1 win over UMass Lowell in the Hockey East semifinals, Merrimack is one step closer to not only a Hockey East championship, but also locking up an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 2011. According to simulations, Merrimack has a 94-96% chance of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament as of this morning. The Warriors will earn an automatic berth into the tournament if they win the Hockey East championship on Saturday night. So, they control their own fate.