'Cats Win Shootout vs. Merrimack

Saturday, January 31

Durham, N.H.

7 PM

University of New Hampshire

11-13-1, 5-9-1

Merrimack

13-12-1, 7-9-1

OT 1

OT 2

Merrimack

New Hampshire

Photo by: Alex Miller

1/31/2026 10:33:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

Three ‘Cats score in a shootout win

DURHAM, N.H. – Junior forward Nick Ring (Hingham, Mass.) scored the winning goal in the shootout as the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team tied Merrimack, 3-3, on Saturday evening at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex in Hockey East action. The Wildcats earned two Hockey East points with a 2-1 shootout win.

Ring, junior alternate captain Marty Lavins (Riga, Latvia) and senior Kristaps Skrastins (Grobina, Latvia) each scored in regulation for the Wildcats. Skrastins recorded a multi-point game as he also posted an assist.

Senior goalie Kyle Chauvette (Goffstown, N.H.) tallied 27 saves for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats are now 11-13-1 (5-9-1 Hockey East), while the Warriors are 13-12-1 (7-9-1 Hockey East).

UP NEXT:

Next up for the Wildcats will be a matchup with No. 9 Providence at the Whitt on Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ for Education Night presented by N.H. School Administrators Association. Also don't miss Boston Bruins national anthem performer Todd Angilly perform the Star-Spangled Banner.
Tickets can be purchased at UNHWildcats.com/BuyTickets or by calling the ticket office at (603) 862-4000. Don't miss the most exciting family entertainment in New Hampshire.

Score: UNH 3, Merrimack 3 (OT)- UNH wins shootout 2-1
Records: UNH (11-13-1, 5-9-1 Hockey East); MC (13-12-1, 7-9-1 Hockey East)
Location: Durham, N.H. (Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026
Attendance: 5,129

BOXSCORE

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead when Skrastins tipped in a slap shot by freshman Ryan Philbrick (Concord, N.H.) at 3:04 of the first period. Freshman Connor DeTurris (Naperville, Ill.) also recorded an assist on the goal.
Just 41 seconds later, Lavins scored off a rebound by senior captain Morgan Winters (Osprey, Fla.) increasing the lead to 2-0 early in the first period. Senior alternate captain Cy LeClerc (Brentwood, N.H.) also posted an assist.
The Warriors cut the deficit to 2-1 at 11:03 of the first period when Justin McGill scored on a breakaway.
At 11:06 in the third, the Warriors tied the game at 2-2 with a behind-the-net tap in by Ryan O'Connell.
The Warriors, Parker Lalonde, netted a shot upper glove side, taking the lead at 13:47.
With 1:17 left in the third, Ring fired a shot blocker side, evening the score. Freshman defenseman Conner de Haro (Raleigh, N.C.) and Skrastins both tallied an assist.
Neither team found the back of the net in overtime, as the game went into a shootout. LeClerc gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the first round, while Seamus Powell tied it in the second. After a save by Chauvette, Ring ended the shootout with a goal.