Monday, November 17, 2025

Robert McMahon, Sports Columnist

 

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Roger McQueen, PHOTO: Bob McMahon, GoLocal

Another frustrating weekend for the PC Hockey Friars.  Last week, the Friars were on the verge of sweeping the UConn Huskies, but following a 4-1 Friday win, they settled for a 2-2 tie on Saturday.

This weekend, the Friars dominated the Merrimack sextet in shots on goal and time in the offensive zone in both games, but after a 4-2 win on Friday at Schneider, the Friars were edged 3-2 on Saturday in North Andover, MA.

In Friday’s game, the Friars outshot Merrimack by an astounding margin of 37-15 but were unable to get the go-ahead goal until 14:25 of the third period on a goal by Logan Sawyer.  The Warriors converted two power play opportunities, one in the first and one in the second period, to lead PC 2-1 well into the third period. PC goalie Philip Svedeback had no chance on either Merrimack power play goal, as the Friars’ defense left a Merrimack attacker unguarded at point-blank range on both goals.

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At 7:27 of the third period, PC’s heralded freshman, Roger McQueen, scored his first goal of his college career and of the season to tie the game. McQueen didn’t waste any time getting his second goal. Trailing 3-2, Merrimack pulled its goalie, Max Lundgren, with 1:33 to go for an extra attacker. After winning a face-off at center circle, McQueen fired a 90-foot rocket 2 feet off the ice through the air into an empty Merrimack net at 19:59. The score clinched the PC win, as the puck almost went through the back of the net.

In the Saturday game at North Andover, the Friars fell behind 2-0 in the first period, as the Warriors outskated and forechecked PC with a vengeance.  The Merrimack lead increased to 3-0 at 12:20 of the second period on Merrimack’s 2nd power play goal.  PC played shorthanded for much of the game, accumulating 16 penalty minutes.

Merrimack scored four power-play goals over the weekend.  Coach Leaman may need to perhaps tweak the Friars’ penalty kill personnel going forward.  Prior to this past weekend, PC had an 86% penalty kill rate, one of the best in Division One hockey. But PC’s penalty kill rate was only 69% in these two games, while giving up for 4 power play goals.

PC mounted a desperate attempt to get back in the game in the third period, getting a power play goal at 59 seconds of the third period from John Mustard, who leads the Friars with seven goals.  Despite 21 shots on goal in the third period, PC could only get one more goal at 18:59 on an extra attacker goal by freshman Julius Sumpf, his first of the year.

PC outshot Merrimack 42-25 for the game, but Warrior goalie Max Lundgren was brilliant with a crazy .952 save percentage, and the Friars returned to campus with a tough loss.

With the loss to Merrimack, the Friars now find themselves in a three-way tie for 4th place in Hockey East standings as seen in the accompanying chart.  This early in the season, it is difficult to pick out the best teams.  I’m not sure the UCONN first-place standing will hold up over the course of the season.  Maine and Boston College will likely be challenging for the top spot.  But it is early at this point to pick a favorite.

 

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Two things are apparent, however, even at this early stage.  First, Boston University, a traditional power-house in Hockey East, is struggling mightily.  Their defense and goal-tending issues are killing them. Secondly, the parity in the league this year is remarkable.  Literally, any team on any given night can beat even the traditional blue blood teams in the conference.  Witness Merrimack’s win over PC this weekend and lowly Vermont’s win this week over Maine at Maine.  There are going to be surprise wins and losses every weekend this year in Hockey East.

PC’s next game is against UMASS for a rare Thursday night home game at Schneider Arena.  Puck drop is at 7 PM.

Bob McMahon is the former Director of Parks in the City of Providence and a lifelong Providence College Friar fan.


 

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