Warriors at a loss after a falling at Maine
Merrimack "out-competed" in loss to Maine at Alfond Arena
ORONO, Maine — The Maine Black Bears took a bite out of the Merrimack Warriors on Friday night at Alfond Arena with a 5-0 win.
The Black Bears outshot the Warriors 33-15. Shot attempts were 75-36, as the Warriors spent most of the night in the defensive zone trying to fend off Maine’s relentless attack.
“[Maine’s] biggest skill is their compete and when you’re slow coming out of your own end, you’re going to spend a lot of time in the defensive zone,” said Merrimack coach Scott Borek. “We weren’t aggressive enough in our own zone.
“I thought our defensemen played hard. We needed more out of our forwards.”
The Black Bears scored early and often. Josh Nadeau gave them a lead just 1:10 into the game, and they led 4-0 after the second period. In the opening minute of the third period, Maine added a power-play goal to make the score 5-0.
“I’m kind of at a loss,” Borek said. “We’re playing one of the best teams in the country, and that’s our push? It’s disappointing.”
Max Lundgren (19 saves) started for the Warriors. He was replaced by Nils Wallstrom (9 saves) after the fifth Maine goal. Wallstrom, who will likely start on Saturday night, was making his first appearance as a Warrior after transferring from AIC.
The Warriors didn’t get a power play until midway through the third period and had to kill three times, all in the second period.
Freshman Nathan King went down with an injury early in the game, adding to a lengthy list of Warriors who are out of action.
“We’re running out of healthy bodies,” Borek said, “but that’s not an excuse. These guys are all Division I players. It doesn’t matter who is hurt, you have to be able to answer the bell. If we got out-skilled tonight it would be one thing, and that happens sometimes and it wouldn’t really bother me. We just got out-competed, and that’s a choice. Our compete has to be better.”
The Warriors and Black Bears will conclude the two-game series Saturday night back at Alfond Arena.
Warriors add “A” to Enns, Mysak
Graduate defensemen Colby Enns and Josef Mysak both had an “A” added to their jersey for Friday’s game and they’ll serve as alternate captains for the rest of this season.
“We need those guys,” Borek said. “They’re, they’re tough, and they play the game the right way. They deserve it.”
Merrimack (1-4-1): 0-0-0--0
#7 Maine (5-0-1): 2-2-1--5
First Period: 1. ME Josh Nadeau 1 (Brandon Holt, Brandon Chabrier), ev, 1:10; 2. ME Harrison Scott 3 (Thomas Freel, Jack Dalton), 14:37.
Second Period: 3. ME Lynden Breen 1 (Brandon Holt, Charlie Russell), ev, 10:17; 4. ME Thomas Freel 4 (Charlie Russell, Harrison Scott), pp, 13:05.
Third Period: 5. ME Charlie Russell 2 (Taylor Makar, Harrison Scott), pp, 0:22.
Shots: MC 5-6-4--15; ME 8-15-10--33
Saves: MC Lundgren 19/24 (40:22), Wallstrom 9/9 (19:38); ME Boija 15/15 (60:-00)
Power Play: MC 0 for 1; ME 2 for 3
Penalties: MC 3-6; ME 1-2
Attendance: 4,585