That's a relief.  There was a lot of fear after Merrimack goalie Yannick
    Gosselin reinjured his knee in the 7-4 win over Lowell, but after Friday's
    arthroscopic surgery, it looks like he may be able to return in
    2-4 weeks.  He should not miss more than 3-5 games (besides the
    two that were played at Kent this past weekend, but he likely would
    have not played there anyway).  The Warriors play UNH, BU, and BC
    in the next two weeks before finals, then they go to Alaska for
    the Nissan/Jeep Classic December 22-23.  The three league games are
    the most important, of course.  The next Hockey East game after
    Christmas will be January 5th against BC, so hopefully Goose will
    be back in shape by then.
 
    Goose has emerged as Merrimack's #1 goalie, and backups Doneghey and
    D'Amore have not played nearly as well as Goose has so far.  But
    for a few weeks, at least, it will be up to them to spell the Goose.
 
    The injury occurred on Lowell's third goal, a power play goal, late
    in the second.  The puck came out of the corner from Goose's left to
    the far point, where Steve Ablitt shot it at the net.  Goose tried to
    make the quick move from left to right, and that's when his right
    knee locked up - the same knee he injured against UNH.  The puck went
    through his pads, and Goose went down, having to be carried from the
    ice by two teammates.
 
    In a combination of Lowell falling asleep and Merrimack picking their
    play up a notch, the Warriors overcame a 3-2 deficit after the second
    period to outscore the Chiefs 5-1 in the third and win, 7-4.  See
    Kevin Yetman's article for details.  It was an exciting, cleanly-played
    game between two long-time Division II foes that have carried their
    rivalry over into Division I.  Quite a few people expected the teams
    to enter the rink with boxing gloves, but happily to the contrary,
    they played hard but not cheap (8 penalties - 5 on Lowell, 3 on
    Merrimack) and gave the fans their money's worth on Thanksgiving Eve.
 
    Merrimack split at Kent this past weekend, losing Saturday night, 5-3,
    and winning 5-4 on Sunday afternoon.  (I didn't go, this is all from
    the summaries).  Merrimack had pounded Kent last weekend, 10-2.
 
    In the first game, the Warriors jumped out in front after one period,
    2-1.  Brian Mulcahy scored just 38 seconds in for Kent, but Claude
    Maillet (2:35) and Jeff Massey (7:30) answered back.  Kent roared
    ahead in the second, outscoring Merrimack, 4-1.  Mulcahy, Sam Thornbury,
    Steve McLean, and Bob Krosky all scored consecutively between 0:07 and
    15:35 of the period before Howie Rosenblatt brought the Warriors within
    2 at 5-3.  Mike Doneghey made 24 saves for Merrimack and Dixon
    stopped the same number for Kent.  There was no scoring in the third.
 
    The next day, Merrimack also got out to a one-goal lead after the first
    period, 3-2.  This time they held on to win.  Massey, Rosenblatt, and
    Tim Doyle scored for Merrimack, and Krosky and Mulcahy had the Kent
    goals.  Dan Gravelle (MC) and McLean (KS) swapped goals in the second,
    and Rosenblatt (MC) and Thornbury (KS) did so in the third.  Dixon
    stopped 28 shots for Kent and Steve D'Amore had 28 saves for Merrimack.
 
    Kent is now 3-7-1 and will play at Alabama-Huntsville next week.
    Merrimack is 6-3-1, still 3-1 in Hockey East, and will play at
    UNH next Saturday.
 
 
    - mike