NORTH ANDOVER — With a name like Connor Hurley, it’s easy to become a popular figure in the Greater Boston area.
Last night, before a packed Lawler Rink crowd of 2,549, the Notre Dame freshman center gained a bit of notoriety after he collected his own rebound in front and deposited the winning goal at 1:44 of overtime to lift the Fighting Irish to a well-played 3-2 victory over Merrimack.
Hurley took a pass in the low slot from classmate Jake Evans and, with a Warriors defender draped on him, fired a quick wrist shot that was stopped by Merrimack goalie Rasmus Tirronen (22 saves). Hurley then made good on his second chance.
“The positive thing was that the line that scored the game-winning goal, the young line, the freshmen line, is starting to get some confidence in the offensive zone and that gives us some more depth in the possession game,’’ said Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson, whose team held a 25-24 edge in shots. “It was a hard-fought game. We were fortunate to score first. They came back. We scored again, they tied it. It was a typical Hockey East game. I’m glad there weren’t any more shots in overtime.’’
Merrimack (6-3-1, 2-2-1) was outshot, 10-6, in the third period and OT.
“I didn’t think it was our best game but a lot of that had to do with our opponent. They make you uncomfortable,’’ said Warriors coach Mark Dennehy. “We had our moments. It’s early season. I’m sure we’ll get better.’’
Notre Dame (6-4-1, 2-0-1) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period when clever right winger Vince Hinostroza connected with a shot from the left side at 4:44.
Merrimack, displaying more speed than a year ago when it won only eight games, used that strength to pull even 42 seconds into the middle period. Defenseman Justin Mansfield led a rush down the right side and passed across to a streaking left winger Brian Christie, who scored his team-high fifth goal.
The Irish took a 2-1 lead at 15:57 thanks to a fortuitous bounce over the right leg pad of Tirronen, who vainly tried to trap it. ND’s Andy Ryan raced to the net and poked the loose puck home.
Merrimack freshman center Brett Seney then rifled a bullet over the glove hand of Chad Katunar at 5:12 to tie the game at 2.