Merrimack (2-3-0) scored three power-play goals in just over four minutes midway through the final period for a 5-4 victory over visiting Wayne State (2-2-0).
Merrimack’s Bryan Schmidt netted a pair of power-play goals in the third period, including the game-winner with 6:41 remaining.
MC’s Jordan Black gave the host Warriors a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at the 18:29 mark of the first period. The sophomore put back a rebound off a slapshot by Jeff Caron for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.
WSU Warrior John May tied the score at the 9:42 mark of the second period off assists from sophomore blueliner Dan Iliakis and freshman Stavros Paskaris.
The score did not remain tied for long as Merrimack’s Chris Murphy scored the first goal of his career just 18 seconds later to put the hosts back up by one.
Wayne State’s Mike Forgie tied the game 2-2 at the 12:20 mark of the second period when he stuffed in a loose puck rebound off a shot by Jason Baclig. Nate Higgins notched his third assist of the campaign on Forgie’s third goal of the season.
Wayne State netted a pair of quick goals early in the third period to jump out to a 4-2 lead. Jason Bloomingburg started the third period scoring 79 seconds into the period with his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Tylor Michel followed at the 3:45 mark with a shorthanded goal, marking the fourth straight game that Merrimack has surrendered a shorthanded goal.
Freshman Adam Krug earned his second assist of the year on Bloomingburg’s lamp-lighter, while Michel’s goal was unassisted.
Merrimack answered with three straight power-play goals, starting with Schmidt who took advantage of a 4-on-3 situation by sneaking a wrist shot past Wayne State goaltender Matt Kelly at the 9:02 mark. Rob LaLonde tied the game at 4-4 at the 12:00 mark, just eight seconds after the Warriors went on a 5-on-3 power play.
The game-winner was set up after Byrnes won a faceoff in the right circle to Caron, who dropped the puck back to Schmidt at the right point. The junior defenseman then fired a slapshot past Kelley on his stick side for the game-winner.
Merrimack goaltender Jim Healey made 36 saves for the host Warriors including 16 in the second period. Kelly stopped 25 shots in the loss for Wayne State.
