The Minutemen of UMass dropped their fifth consecutive game Saturday night at home against Merrimack, losing the season series in the process. UMass came into the Mullins Center after getting beat 4-1 at Merrimack the night before and came out flying. The dominated the first period, out shooting their opponents 13-5 in the first frame, but despite controlling the play, they headed into the first intermission at a scoreless tie.

In the second Merrimack was able to get some momentum and scored two goals, one coming from the Warriors having a player float around the UMass blueline despite the play being in their own zone. They were doing this all night and this one time, the long pass connected and both back checking Minutemen went to the puck carrier and he dished it off to Ryan Flanigan who was streaking in all alone and beat Dan Meyers on the blocker side. In the third, Merrimack’s Stephane DaCosta picked off a Will Ortiz pass at the UMass blueline and scored with a wrist shot that was labeled top shelf, putting the game out of reach.

The Merrimack Warriors played spoilers, beating UMass 3-0 on senior night. It was the last home game (pending a home playoff series) for goalie Dan Meyers, defenseman Martin Nolet and Justin Braun and forwards Brett Watson and Will Ortiz. Before the game, UMass honored them in front of the crowd and having their parents and other family member come onto the ice for photos. All five players will be missed dearly next year. Meyers was a very solid backup to Paul Dainton in his final two years and gave the players in front of him confidence when he was in net. Will Ortiz is tied for most career game winning goals and always brought intensity to the ice. Coach Cahoon often praised Brett Watson, one of the co-captains this year, for his effort as well as both off and on ice leadership. Martin Nolet was a very good defensemen at both ends of the ice and a crowd favorite, which often chanted “Nolet” instead of “Oley” like they do in Montreal. Justin Braun, the other co-captain, was the best defenseman on the team without doubt this year in every situation. The Minutemen will likely have to win their next three games, one at Boston College and two at Maine, in order to get a home playoff and get any consideration for the NCAA tournament because of this current losing streak.

UMass entered the weekend two-game series with the Vermont Catamounts with a 9-6 record in Hockey East play and were fresh off two big wins against UMass-Lowell.

The first game started off fast, when James Marcou used a defenseman as a screen and snapped a wrist shot past Catamount goalie Rob Madore on the first shift of the game. The pace fast, and the action was back and forth until late in the opening frame when Jay Anctil of Vermont hopped on a bouncing puck in the UMass slot and beat Paul Dainton on the glove side. In the second, Casey Wellman rushed end to end, and like linemate Marcou, used a Catamount defenseman as a screed, wiring a shot though both the defender and goalie’s legs to give the home team Minutemen a 2-1 lead. UMass controlled the majority of play for the rest of the game, and would have gotten a larger lead if not for the play of Vermont goalie Rob Madore who made great scramble saves multiple times. With a minute remaining, Vermont pulled Madore, but had mis-communicated as the puck came to their end as doing so. James Marcou passed on a shot at the empty net and passed to Casey Wellman who buried it for his second of the game as UMass went on to take game one 3-1.

Vermont came out ready for game two. They managed to get the first goal of the game, despite being outplayed by the Minutemen for the most part early on. After the first goal, they went into shutdown mode, and if it weren’t for the eight penalties taken during the game, they would have played a textbook road game. Special teams made the difference as UMass’s powerplay was blanked on all eight opportunities, including a minute-long five on three advantage. The overall team defense, helped by spectacular play in goal by Rob Madore propelled the Catamounts to get the weekend split, beating UMass 3-0. UMass now sits tied for second in Hockey East with Boston College.

UMass hosted Merrimack on Saturday to round up their schedule before Christmas break. The Minutemen had struggled as of late, losing three in a row. In an effort to get something going, coach Cahoon moved Martin Nolet down to the second defense paring to play with Darren Rowe, and bumped Matt Irwin up to the top pairing with Justin Braun. Michael Lecomte also came back into the line up after missing much of the early season.

The losing streak must of put some fire under the players of Umass because they cam out hard against an also struggling Merrimack squad. In the first period Chase Langeraap took a shot on a 2 on 2 rush and Will Ortiz blew by his defender to the rebound and gave the Minutemen an early lead. In the second period, the best powerplay in hockey east gave UMass a two-goal lead when Casey Wellman one timed a cross seam pass from James Marcou at the offensive face off dot. Merrimack was able to respond in the frame when Chris Barton sent a beautiful cross crease pass to Stephane CaCosta on a 2 on 2 rush. However, that was all Merrimack would get in the game as Paul Dainton once again proved to be a difference maker making a host of good saves in the second half of the game including a highlight reel stop on a Merrimack two-on-one where he did the splits on a left to right cross ice pass and robbed the Merrimack shooter of what looked to be a sure goal. Just minutes after the lead saving stop, Will Ortiz picked off a break out pass in Merrimack’s high slot and pulled a forehand to backhand move on Merrimack goalie Andrew Braithwaite and went top shelf. Late in the third, TJ Symer sealed the deal when he stole the puck at his own blueline while shorthanded and got a breakaway, going backhand to forehand.
Umass heads into the Christmas break with a 6-4 Hockey East record and 9-5 overall. Also of note, word has it that there have been NHL scouts at the past few of UMass’s games. The main target of attention is likely James Marcou, who is leading the conference with 26 points in just 15 games and a half a point per game average than anyone else.