Two Programs on a Similar Arc
The final three games of Union’s eight game odyssey away from Messa Rink may involve the toughest opponents that the Dutchmen will face all season.
The stretch starts on Saturday at No. 5 Merrimack in a game that will be broadcast nationally on Fox College Sports Atlantic (click here for details)
The Warriors, who were ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in program history earlier in the season, are another program on the rise. Last season, Merrimack earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1988 and set a school record with 25 wins. The Warriors are particularly tough at Lawler Arena, compiling a record of 19-3-2 at home since the start of the 2010-11 season.
Last weekend, Merrimack was tested by another ECAC Hockey opponent when it traveled to Colgate. In that contest, sophomore defenseman Brendan Ellis scored and senior goalkeeper Joe Cannata made 34 saves in a 1-1 tie at Starr Rink.
Merrimack features a balanced offensive attack led by senior forward Ryan Flanagan (six goals, seven assists). As the nation’s No. 2 scoring defense (1.64 goals allowed/game) they have allowed just 23 goals in 14 games. Cannata, a 2009 sixth-round Vancouver Canucks draft pick, is one of the nation’s top goaltenders with a 1.75 GAA and .936 save %.
You can read more about Merrimack at The Mack Report, a comprehensive blog about the team (click here)
Union dropped a spot in the latest USCHO.com poll (click here) and dropped three spots (click here) in the latest USA Today poll, more a function of the teams behind them last week picking up more impressive wins.
Last Saturday’s Union-RPI game has been archived and is available for viewing via The Pack Network (click here)
