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.