The Merrimack College men’s ice hockey team won its first-ever Hockey East Championship with a 2-1 victory over No. 3 UConn at TD Garden on March 21. The win also secured the team’s place in the NCAA Division I Tournament.
This achievement is significant as Merrimack became the first No. 8 seed, and the lowest seed ever, to claim the Hockey East title. The Warriors defeated the top three seeds—No. 1 Providence, No. 2 UMass, and No. 3 UConn—on their way to the championship.
Max Lundgren was named Tournament MVP after making a career-high 49 saves, including eight in the final five minutes of play. “He turned away a ridiculous 22 shots in the final period,” according to the college’s announcement.
The game saw Merrimack take an early lead in the second period before Caelan Fitzpatrick scored what would be the game-winning goal just seconds into the third period following a turnover forced by Parker Lalonde. Ryan O’Connell also scored for Merrimack, marking his second goal in as many games and earning him unanimous All-Tournament selection alongside Lundgren.
UConn managed to tie the game late in the second period, but could not overcome Merrimack’s defense in the final frame. Four Warriors players—Trevor Hoskin, Nathan King, Max Lundgren, and Ryan O’Connell—were named to the All-Tournament Team for their performances throughout the championship run.
Merrimack now awaits its opponent for the NCAA Regional Round, with Selection Sunday scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
