NORTH ANDOVER — Ryan Flanigan has been waiting 27 games to celebrate.
The freshman winger, who was moved to the Merrimack's top line three weeks ago, has been searching for his first career goal for five months. In last night's 3-2 win over fifth-ranked Vermont, he was finally able to go crazy.
Corralling a puck in the left corner, Flanigan cut to the middle and jammed it past UVM goaltender Rob Madore to put the Warriors ahead for good.
Two weeks ago, Flanigan netted what he thought was his first career tally in a 3-1 loss to Boston University. The goal would have cut the Terriers' lead to one in the third period, but the referees called the goal back after it was ruled the Warriors committed a penalty before the shot was taken.
"I thought I had it against BU, so it was finally nice to get that one out of the way," said Flanigan, who added an assist on Karl Stollery's power-play goal just 1:08 before his own. "Obviously it's great in a win, too. Everyone has been grinding away and it was nice to be on the other side of a one-goal game for a change."
Flanigan unleashed a goal celebration like no other, going to a knee ahead of exploding into the air, both arms raised, before being piled on by his teammates.
"I don't know if I was that impressed," head coach Mark Dennehy joked of the goal dance. "He told me he had a great celebration planned when he finally got a goal. I was more impressed with the goal. I hope he has some more celebrations planned because he didn't show me anything with that one."
Flanigan's reputation isn't that of a scorer, he's an agitator. He's the college hockey version of an enforcer. Alongside Rob Ricci (9-9—18) and Jesse Todd (5-9—14), Flanigan (1-6—7) is out there to create space. But, unlike most instigators, he has some flashy skills that will net him some points of his own.
"He needs to keep playing like there are ants in his pants," said Dennehy. "He needs to be an irritant, but he's skilled enough to make a play, find a guy underneath, and make a play. He's a spunky kid who brings a lot of energy to our team."
Freshman netminder Joe Cannata won his second-straight game, making 35 saves. In his last two games, the rookie has a goals-against average of 1.50 and a save percentage of .964.
Loose pucks
The Warriors penalty kill hasn't allowed a goal in its last 18 chances. ... The Warriors were playing with just five defensemen, moving forward Justin Bonitatibus to the blue line after sophomore defenseman Fraser Allan hurt his knee in practice this past week and was unavailable for duty. ... Merrimack's three goals in a 2:17 span were its fastest three goals of the season.
Merrimack 3, No. 5 Vermont 2
at Lawler Arena, Merrimack College
Vermont (16-7-4, 11-6-3 HE): 0-1-1—2
Merrimack (7-17-3, 3-15-2 HE): 0-3-0—3
Second Period: 1. UVM Dan Lawson 2 (Matt Marshall, Chris Atkinson), 6:33; 2. MC Karl Stollery 3 (Ryan Flanigan, Jesse Todd), ppg, 14:12; 3. MC Ryan Flanigan 1 (Rob Ricci, Karl Stollery), ppg, 15:20; 4. MC Chris Barton 8 (Francois Ouimet, Rob Ricci), 16:29.
Third Period: 5. UVM Viktor Stalberg 19 (Kevan Miller), 12:09.
Shots: Merrimack 7-12-3—22; Vermont 13-10-14—37
Saves: MC Cannata (5-8-3) 13-9-13—35; UVM Madore (10-5-3) 7-9-3—19
Power play: Merrimack 2 for 6 (4 shots); Vermont 0 for 7 (12 shots)
Attendance: 1,329
Next: Hosts Vermont today, 7 p.m.
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