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
|