Both teams had some excellent chances, but both Merrimack goale Joe Cannata and New Hampshire goalie Matt Di Girolamo kept firm to keep the second period scoreless. Merrimack still leads New Hampshire 2-1 heading into the third period.
Each team took a penalty in the second period – Stevie Moses with an interference call for New Hampshire at the 8:45 mark, and Carter Madsen with a hooking call for Merrimack at the 15:44 mark. Both teams were effective at the penalty kill. Di Girolamo made several booming saves to ward off several Merrimack shots. The Merrimack defense formed a brick wall around Cannata to ward off several New Hampshire opportunities, and their offense did their part defensively as well.
Di Girolamo made 12 saves in the second period, while Cannata made 11. Merrimack is leading in a Hockey East semifinal game for the first time in their program’s history.