Maine 8, at Merrimack 1
Black Bears leave no doubt in the second game of the weekend set, but
this game was actually close through 2 periods at 3-0 until Maine blew
it open in the 3rd. PP/SH goals galore, as at even strength Maine out-
scored MC 2-0 on the night (5 PPGs & 1 SHG, MC 1 SHG). Referees lose
control and result is 98 PIM on the night - 48 in last 7:02, as 14
minors, two majors and one misconduct (no DQs) were issued. Snow was
outstanding in net to keep the Warriors off the board in the first two
periods, and Doneghey again played superbly for MC, allowing only two
goals at even strength. Montgomery had 2-1--3, Kariya 0-1--1, Ingraham
2-0--2, Tardif 2-1--3, Latendresse 1-2--3. Box and words to come
sometime Sunday night. Crowd of 3,371 is 236 short of capacity and tops
Fri's turnout which was a new MC record since joining HE - record is
broken 24 hours later. 6,483 showed up this weekend. Wow.
at BU 5, NU 3
Huskies' loss means they are guaranteed to finish 8th and travel to
Orono for the first round. Terriers win 24th of the year and will host
either MC or BC in first round.
at UNH 5, UMass-Lowell 2
Wildcats clinch 3rd place and home ice with win, will host either MC or
BC in first round. Chiefs can finish 4th with win over MC next Saturday
or if PC loses to BU next Friday; UML is guaranteed to play PC but site
yet to be determined.
BC 4, at PC 4 (ot)
Eagles are in 6th, one point ahead of MC. If BC gets one point in
final 2 games vs Maine & NU OR if MC does not beat Lowell, BC will finish
6th. (So, MC can finish 6th only if BC loses final 2 and MC beats Lowell,
else MC finishes 7th and goes to BU.) Friars are tied with UML in 4th,
PC loses tiebreaker so they need to gain one more point than UML in last
game of season for both teams (PC-BU Fri, UML-MC Sat) to host UML in
series.
Playoff pairings are looking like:
#8 NU @ #1 Maine (set)
#7 MC @ #2 BU (not set)
Alternative BC @ BU.
#6 BC @ #3 UNH (not set)
Alternative MC @ UNH.
#5 PC @ #4 UML (not set)
Alternative UML @ PC.
All that's yet to be decided are the battles for 4th-5th (UML-PC) and
6th-7th (BC-MC). HE update Sun night will provide a recap of these along
with complete updated standings.
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Mike Machnik [log in to unmask] Color Voice of the Merrimack Warriors
(Any opinions expressed above are strictly those of the poster.) *HMN*
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