Icecats 4, Merrimack 1

Thanks to a blistering start that saw the Wildcats score three times in the first 14 minutes of the opening period, the University of New Hampshire hockey team pounded Merrimack College, 4-1, before 2,270 at the J. Thom Lawler Arena.

UNH (22-5-1, 17-3-1)  3-0-1 -- 4
MC (3-21-4, 3-16-2)   0-0-1 -- 1

• The Wildcats had 39 shots on goal, including 14 in the first period and 16 in the third. The Warriors had 29 for the entire game.
• Reigning Hockey East goalie of the month Jim Healey was yanked after allowing three first-period goals, replaced by Patrick Watson. Warrior Coach Mark Dennehy said the move was made more in an effort to "light a spark" rather than as punishment for Healey, who, to his defense, allowed goals on a breakaway and two power plays.
• Jacob Micflikier and Mike Radja led UNH with two points, each registering a goal and an assist.
• Eight different Wildcats contributed points.
• Kevin Regan has now allowed seven goals in seven career starts against Merrimack.
• Regan's goals against average is down to 1.94, which is fourth nationally, while his save percentage is .937, which is second in America and just one hundredth of a point behind Lake Superior's Jeff Jakaitis.
• The game got ugly late, with two skirmishes in the final five minutes resulting in 57 minutes worth of infractions. Joe Charlebois received a 10-minute misconduct for UNH, while two Merrimack skaters received 10-minute misconducts, another got five minutes for fighting and yet another -- J.C. Robitaille -- was given a game disqualification. That means Robitaille will be out for the Warriors' next game.
• On the scrums, Dennehy said: "There have been uglier games in this arena. There have been uglier games in college hockey."
• Radja was named the game's No. 1 star for the second consecutive night.
• After the late results, UNH moved to the top of the PairWise Rankings, while Maine moved into a tie for third after sweeping Vermont.
• Within the league, here's what's we know about UNH at this point:
• With its next tie or win, UNH will clinch home-ice advantage in the Hockey East tournament.
• The 'Cats can also clinch home-ice with a tie or loss by both Vermont and Massachusetts.
• If UNH wins at least one more game, it can finish no worse than third in Hockey East.
• If UNH wins at least two more games, it can finish no worse than second.
• If the 'Cats sweep BU this weekend they will clinch the regular-season title with four games to go.

POST-GAME AUDIO

UNH Coach Dick Umile

UNH defenseman Brad Flaishans

UNH captain Josh Ciocco