No. 16 Minutemen March On To Face Merrimack Tuesday

Dec. 4, 2006

AMHERST, Mass. - The Mass Attack travels to North Andover, Mass. this Friday to face Merrimack in a Hockey East contest. The game marks the first meeting between the schools this season, and the Minutemen took the 2005-06 season series vs. the Warriors 3-0. Fans that can't make it to the game can listen live for FREE via umassathletics.com. The Minutemen are currently in fifth place in the league standings and are ranked No. 16 by the USCHO.com/CSTV. They are receiving votes in the USA Hockey/USA Today national poll, just one spot out of the top-15.

LAST TIME OUT
The Minutemen (7-3-2, 4-2-1 HEA) upended Niagara University by the score of 6-2 on Friday night in Amherst, putting an end to their seven-game unbeaten streak. Mark Matheson, who splits time at defense and forward, recorded his first career hat trick in the win. Will Ortiz (1-3-4) and Chris Capraro (0-4-4) each walked away with a four point night, while Cory Quirk recorded his second goal in as many games.

SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
Merrimack has struggled in the first half of the season, winning only once: at Providence on Oct. 27 (3-2). The Warriors followed that up wtih a 3-3 (OT) tie vs. Brown. Mike Alexiou leads his team in scoring with five points (1g, 4a). Jim Healey has been in net for the majority of outings, holding a 3.36 GAA and .891 sv%. This game will close out the first half of the season for Merrimack, who returns to play on Dec. 29 and 30 at Robert Morris.

FOR STARTERS
Massachusetts is 28-5-5 all-time against Merrimack, dating back to February 7, 1970, a 4-3 win for UMass at home. In the Modern Era of UMass Hockey (1993-present), the Minutemen hold a 21-15-2 edge, which improves to 12-5-1 under current Head Coach Don Cahoon (2000-present). Versus former Associate Head Coach and current MC Head Coach Mark Dennehy, the Mass Attack is 3-0-0.

LOOKING AHEAD
Massachusetts and Boston College play in a home-and-home series this coming weekend, with Friday's game being played in Amherst. Fans will be able to watch the UMass Football team take on Montana not only between periods on the video boards, but following the conclusion of the hockey game as well. The Minutemen won the most recent meeting between the schools: a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Mullins Center over the then-No. 3 Eagles on February 3, 2006.

`QUICK'LY BECOMING ONE OF THE LEAGUE'S BEST
Jon Quick (So., G, Hamden, Conn./Avon Old Farms) backstopped UMass to its first point at Agganis Arena, with a 33-save effort against No. 9 Boston University. He followed that up with a 21-save effort vs. Niagara. Quick's 11 consecutive starts is a career high, while his save percentage ranks in the top five nationally (GAA: top-10). Among league netminders, his save percentage (.934) and GAA (2.01) rank first and fourth, respectively. He has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of 11 contests.

NOTES OF INTEREST

Mark Matheson, who surpassed his previous-best of three goals in a season with his tally at Union, has more than doubled that in his final collegiate season with his first career hat trick vs. Niagara. Matheson, who spends time both at forward and defense for the Minutemen, scored the first, fourth and sixth (final) goal vs. the Purple Eagles, setting a new mark for goals and points in a game. His nine points on the season rank fifth on the team in scoring, while his seven goals, two power play goals and .304 shot percentage all rank second overall. For his efforts, he was named the UMass/Dinn Bros. co-Athlete of the Week.

Chris Capraro also set a new mark for assists in a game with his four helpers vs. Niagara. The senior is second on the team in scoring with 13 points, having only played in eight of 12 games on the season. His nine assists and .364 shot percentage pace the Minutemen, while his +10 rating comes in right behind teammate Martin Nolet's team-leading +12.

Will Ortiz completed UMass' most successful line on Friday night, coming away with a season-best four points on one goal and three assists. Ortiz batted in the fifth goal of the game and was a +5 overall, a mark that paced the team. The goal was his first since Oct. 28 at then-No. 1 Maine. He is tied for fifth on the team in scoring with nine points overall, a total that paces the Massachusetts rookie class.

UMass' tie vs. BU marked its first point at Agganis Arena, as well as its first point on the road vs. the Terriers since 2004. The Minutemen remain perfect against Niagara (4-0-0) with their 6-2 win.

Cory Quirk scored two goals on the week: UMass' opening goal in the 2-2 (OT) tie at No. 9 Boston University, as well as the second goal of the game vs. Niagara. He leads the team in goals (8) and points (14).

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics

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