Takeaways: Looking for a positive? Merrimack did improve 5v5 play despite Saturday's lopsided score

ORONO, Maine — Merrimack head coach Scott Borek said after Saturday’s 6-0 loss to Maine that he thought the Warriors played well at 5-on-5 but were undone by special teams.

The analytics from Saturday prove that theory true.

Merrimack fell 6-0 to the Black Bears but shots on goal at 5v5 were even, and the Warriors actually generated more 5v5 scoring chances.

Here are my takeaways from Saturday’s game:

— Inside, the numbers show an even 5v5 game derailed by Maine’s performance on the power play.

Faceoffs and puck battles were almost 50/50. Possession at 5v5 was almost even (52%-48% for Maine).

Scoring chances at 5v5 slightly favored Merrimack (7-6).

Scoring chances overall were 14-7 Maine, but the Black Bears had eight of those chances on the power play.

Scoring chances at 5v5 on Friday night was 17-7 Maine.

Saturday’s game came down to special teams. The Warriors are struggling to score (again), and the power play has to be better at lifting them out of that hole. And you can’t give up three power-play goals at the other end.