Merrimack 4, Union 1
Sophomore Josh Myers scored twice in the third period to propel the Warriors to an impressive victory over the No. 5 Union Dutchmen at a sold-out Messa Rink in Schenectady, N.Y. Myers played like a true upperclassmen as he centered a pair and potted a pair of goals, both within the first five minutes of the final stanza. The win was Merrimack's first on the road over a Top 5 opponent since beating New Hampshire on Dec. 13, 2003 and hands Union its first home loss in 11 games, dating back to last November. Entering the season, it was expected the Warriors would have some questions in goal but junior Sam Marotta answered any as he stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced, including all 16 in the first period. At 7:25 of the second, UC captain Mat Bodie scored the lone goal for the hosts. The Warriors open league play on Wednesday night as they skate to Huntington Avenue to take on Northeastern at Matthews Arena.
Quinnipiac 2, Maine 1
Winning on the road is never easy but the scrappy Bobcats went into Alfond Arena to open their season, emerging victorious against an equally-matched Black Bears team in Orono. Maine scored just 3:41 into the proceedings as rookie Steven Swavely took a pass from his brother Jon for his first-ever goal. Reigning Most Valuable Player honorees Kellen and Connor Jones were both held scoreless but the Bobcats fought back, beating junior Dan Sullivan (16 saves) once in the second and third periods to earn the victory. Veteran Connecticut native Jordan Samuels-Thomas lit the lamp with less than 90 seconds to play, connecting with senior classmate Jeremy Langlois for the Bobcats' winning score. There will be little rest for the weary as the Black Bears host New Brunswick in an exhibition contest Sunday afternoon.
Boston College 6, New Brunswick 0 (exhibition)
Despite somewhat of a sluggish start, the defending national champion BC Eagles were paced by three multiple-point scorers in a combined shutout of the perennial Canadian power Varsity Reds as the teams met for the first time since a two-game exhibition series in Fredericton, N.B. in Jan. 2009. Each of the Maroon and Gold's four offensive lines scored in the contest, while juniors Bill Arnold and Patrick Brown each posted a goal and an assist, as did senior Brooks Dyroff. Senior Parker Milner (eight saves) and sophomores Brian Billett (four) and Brad Barone (six) each saw a period of action with the starter from Pittsburgh getting credit for the victory. Additionally, freshman blue liner and Avon Old Farms product Colin Sullivan posted a team-best +5 rating. The Eagles uncap the regular season next Saturday at Northeastern, while UNB finishes the exhibition weekend at Maine's Alfond Arena.
UMass-Lowell 5, Toronto 2 (exhibition)
Joseph Pendenza opened his junior year with a pair of power-play tallies in the first period to boost the No. 7 River Hawks in the victory. In his first collegiate action, freshman Connor Hellebuyck made 12 saves across 31 minutes, while junior Doug Carr made seven stops in the remainder of the contest. Rookie Michael Colantone, who scored 33 times for the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League last season, scored UML's first goal at 7:54 of the first. Defenseman Gregory Amlong and forward Ryan McGrath also found the scoresheet in their first games for Lowell, which opens the regular season on Friday against Vermont. Junior Garrett Sheehan made 47 saves for the Varsity Blues before they bus to Boston University on Sunday.
New Hampshire 5, St. Francis Xavier 2 (exhibition)
Sophomore Trevor van Reimsdyk notched a pair of goals and junior Justin Agosta handed out three assists as the Wildcats posted 30 shots and opened the campaign with a comfortable victory over the X-Men at Whittemore Center. Three other skaters, including junior Nick Sorkin (two assists), posted at least one point in the win. Second-year starter Casey DeSmith made 13 saves to open the game but saved the final period for junior Jeff Wyer to make seven stops.
Vermont 7, Concordia 1 (exhibition)
UVM took out the frustration of last season's 6-27-1 overall record on Concordia, thrashing the visitors from Quebec to open the season. Junior captain H.T. Lenz led that charge with two goals and two assists, including the opening marker at 6:51. Freshman Robert Polesello lit the Stingers' lamp twice, while Clarkson junior transfer Pete Massar assisted on both of his goals. Each of the listed Catamount goalies saw action, including freshmen Brody Hoffman and Billy Faust, who combined for ten saves.
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