Merrimack Hockey Forced to Settle for a Loss /Tie with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame

After coming off a disappointing three game loss, the Warriors bounced back and tied No. 3/4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Prior to the trip to Notre Dame, Merrimack lost to No. 5/6 Providence College in two hard fought games. Friday, November 8th the Warriors faced the Providence College Friars here at Lawler Arena and lost by a single goal. Saturday, November 9th the game was played down at Schneider Arena in Providence, RI, where the Warriors gave up an early lead and ultimately lost 4-2. The Warriors continued their road trip by facing Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Compton Family Ice Arena the following week. Friday nights game ended in a loss 4-0, but the Warriors bounced back and tied the Fighting Irish 2-2 on Saturday night. 

Game 2 played Saturday night, the Fighting Irish took the lead with a power play goal in the first period and then doubled their lead with a short handed goal early in the second. Being a hockey fan or any sports fan for that matter, it’s important to know that the game isn’t over until the clock runs out. In hockey, it only takes one goal to get your team back in the game. Shortly after Notre Dame’s second goal, Warriors Clayton Jardine (Jr.) finally put one in the back of the net, cutting Notre Dame’s lead in half. This score carried late into the third period.

With just under two minutes left in regulation, the Warriors pulled goalie, Tirronen (Jr.) to put an extra man out on the ice, making it a 6-5 man advantage. With 1:09 left, Vinny Scotti (So.) tied the game up! Following regulation, the game went into a five minute sudden death overtime, where neither team could find the back of the net. Nevertheless, our Merrimack Warriors came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the No. 3/4 team in the country. Goalie Rasmus Tirronen had a 30 save game, making this one of his best games yet this season.

With two difficult weekends behind them, the Warriors are back at home this Friday, November 22nd against the Northeastern Huskies and looking to get back to their winning ways. With this game being a Hockey East match-up, get your tickets and come support your Merrimack Warriors!