Stonehill stuns Merrimack in overtime

Stonehill Men’s Hockey started their season off with a bang on Monday, with an overtime win over Merrimack.  

Men’s Hockey is looking to right the wrongs of their past seasons, finishing with a 2-34 record.

Last April, the team welcomed their new head coach David Berard, who spent most of his coaching career prior to Stonehill with Providence and Holy Cross.  

In their first game under Coach Berard, they took on a familiar face in Merrimack College. It was a back-and-forth first period until Merrimack was the first to get on the board 14 minutes into the first period. 

Stonehill wouldn't wait long to respond when four minutes later, Sophomore Foward Brady Hunter scored his first collegiate goal to tie the game. Hunter transferred to Stonehill this season after spending his freshman season with Merrimack.  

The second period came and went with no goals from either side as Stonehill continued to fight for a season-opening win.  

Merrimack struck back and took the lead seven minutes into the third period, and it was starting to look bleak for the Skyhawks. Merrimack remained in control as the game was ending, that is until Sophomore Forward Anthony Galante scored the game-tying goal with just 10 seconds left in regulation, sending the game to overtime. 

Just 38 seconds into overtime, Senior Forward Devlin O’Brien scored, sending the Skyhawks home with a big first win to start their season. O’Brien transferred to Stonehill after spending his first three seasons at Merrimack, appearing in 43 games for the college.  

“I’m not surprised with the win obviously Merrimack is a really good hockey team, but we are a really good hockey team,” said Coach Berard in an interview with Stonehill Athletics.

Stonehill’s hockey season continues when they take on Union College in their home opener on Friday.