UML 6, Merrimack 3 - Reax

Post-game Reax
Mark Dennehy, Merrimack head coach


Blaise MacDonald, UMass Lowell head coach


Chris Auger/Peter Worthington, UMass Lowell forwards


WarriorHockey Podcasts
Mark Dennehy

The Grades
Offense - C
The Warriors had plenty of chances - they did get 33 shots - and even were able to penetrate into the UML zone, especially early in the first period. But once Lowell was able to impose its will, things halted for a large stretch (midway through the first until the end of the second period). Once Justin Bonitatibus gave MC its second goal of the night, the Warriors were able to penetrate a pesky UML defense were doing a better job of forcing the puck in on Nevin Hamilton. But for too much of the game, the chances weren't there for MC and the shots that were, weren't grade-A opportunities. Early there were and late they were, but the large chunk in the middle of the game the Warriors had trouble holding possession in the zone long enough to get anything going. When the puck went to the wall or into a corner, UML always came out with it.

Defense - F
This was easily the worst game of the year for Merrimack's defense. UML dominated the Warriors along the boards, in the corners, and even in front of their own net. There's no other way to put it, MC looked as if it were over matched. The Warriors were outworked consistently throughout the game for the first time all season. Oddly enough, Merrimack did a good job limiting shots (UML had just 26) but at the end of the day, the River Hawks scored six times on 26 shots. I'm sure there are some goals that Joe Cannata would want back, but he was left hung out to dry more than a few times, too. Some goals were products of pucks that have to get cleared or from a guy who you have to get to and tie up a stick or knock a guy to the ground. It wasn't happening for the Warriors tonight. The forecheck was practically non-existent for too much of the game. UML was in the Warriors' faces all night (similar to BU last week) but MC's forecheck wasn't aggressive enough, as it has been. Merrimack needed to be more aggressive all around.

Special Teams - D+
The power play looked OK but the penalty kill, much like the defense, was far from spectacular. It was a clear contrast in PK's. UML dropped to the ice and took pucks in their bodies and MC didn't do a very good job of blocking shots, clearing pucks or working to tie up sticks down low.

The Difference Maker
Lowell brought the hard hats
Bottom line, Lowell outworked Merrimack. Because of that, Lowell won the game. UML was able to impose its will, play the game it wanted to play, and didn't allow the Warriors to play theirs. It was as simple as that.

Warrior Of The Game
Pat Bowen, Sr. defense
Bowen really took the team on his back when they trailed. He was at times leading the rush and went end-to-end with the puck a few times. What he's been able to do, along with Adam Ross and Chris Barton, as a captain shouldn't be overlooked. He gravitates towards that leadership role and embraces it. And in a game where the Warriors struggled for a significant portion, Bowen was a bright spot, leading by example.

Everything Else
> I don't know what the solution is, but from what I've seen of the officiating in Hockey East this year, it's been awful. Tonight, for example, there were 10 power plays between the teams. No one is allowed to just go out and play hockey. From a pure entertainment value, watching games that seem as if they are constantly on special teams, isn't an entertaining product.

The penalty on Bigos for cross checking was laughable. It was a good move by UML's Auger, to drop down and was willing to take a puck in the teeth, and as he slid towards Bigos, he stopped him. Is that a cross check? Not to mention that the Warriors, in consecutive weekends, have had two simultaneous penalties that forced them to kill a 2:00 5-on-3. Before last weekend, I'm not sure I remember the last time I saw that happen.

And even Lowell fans shouldn't be happy with the officiating in this game. I think it was the hook called on Worthington, if I remember, that was an absolute joke.

Maybe I'm just comparing the officials too much to the NHL-caliber I'm used to seeing? I just feel as if officials are a part of WAY too many games in Hockey East. It's a league-wide problem. There were 11 penalties called in the first two periods and just one called in the third. Consistency  not just from game to game, but period to period is nowhere to be found. It has to be frustrating as a player, not knowing shift to shift what you can and can't do. I know it's frustrating as an observer.

> Jesse Todd pulled off a real pretty move helping J.C. Robitaille net the first goal of the game. Chris Barton fed Todd in the neutral zone, he carried it to the top of the left-wing circle and dangled around the UML defender moving the puck to his backhand, throwing the puck to the front of the net where the Warriors were able to jam the puck out of a scramble and into the net.

> Brandon Sadlowski has really impressed me thus far. The senior had four points in his three-year career heading into this season and has four points through eight games. Not only that, but he's been one of MC's best defensemen the past three games. He's making smart plays and has tightened up his play in the defensive end. It often gets overlooked - it's tough to measure defensive contributions outside of +/- - but Sadlowski has been terrific.