PROVIDENCE, R. I. (10: 54 PM ET, March 14, 2026) — merrimack hockey delivered the upset Saturday night, beating the top-seeded Providence College men’s team 3-2 in overtime in the Hockey East Quarterfinals at Schneider Arena. The game swung on special teams, a five-minute major, and a late equalizer that forced extra time. The result sends eighth-seeded Merrimack forward while Providence, the No. 1 seed, now waits for its NCAA Tournament destination.
Overtime ends it after late third-period equalizer
Providence struck first, but the night finished with Merrimack’s final punch in overtime.
Junior captain Graham Gamache opened the scoring for the Friars at 13: 49 of the first period, finishing a setup that began with Just Mustard sliding the puck from the left circle to the slot. Gamache one-timed the shot past Merrimack goaltender Max Lundgren.
Merrimack answered late in the first on a power-play goal at 18: 45. Ethan Beyer moved the puck along the blue line to Parker Lalonde at the top of the left circle, and Lalonde fed Nathan King at the left point for a one-timer that beat Providence goaltender Jack Parsons.
The Warriors pushed ahead early in the third, converting 49 seconds into the period when Nolan Flamand sent a wrister from the right circle through Parsons’ legs for a 2-1 Merrimack lead.
Providence refused to fade, tying it with 3: 16 remaining in regulation. Roger McQueen wrapped the puck around the boards to Quinn Mantel at the left point, and Mantel’s shot toward the net was redirected by Just Mustard for his 16th goal of the season, floating over Lundgren and in.
In overtime, Hoskins ended it for the Warriors with a wrister off the left post and in, his 13th of the season. The sequence sealed a 3-2 final and the quarterfinal upset.
Merrimack Hockey cashes in on key moments as goalies trade saves
The game opened with Providence generating pressure but failing to convert early chances. The Friars received two early power plays and fired nine shots in that stretch, but the scoreboard stayed quiet until Gamache’s first-period strike.
Both goaltenders were heavily involved throughout. Parsons finished with 27 saves and allowed three goals, while Lundgren stopped 34 shots and allowed two. The save totals reflected the push-and-pull of the night, with Providence repeatedly testing Lundgren and Merrimack staying dangerous in key spurts.
The turning point in the middle of the game came with discipline and special teams. In the second period, Providence defenseman Kale McCallum was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing Merrimack freshman Justin Gill with 17: 17 remaining in the period. Merrimack later capitalized on that situation with its go-ahead goal early in the third, building the lead that forced Providence to chase.
Immediate reactions and what’s next
Providence’s game story noted the individual contributions in defeat, with John Mustard registering two points for the Friars on Saturday night.
Next on the calendar, Providence’s path turns to the national picture. The Friars are set to learn their NCAA Tournament destination on Selection Sunday, March 22, at 3 p. m. ET.
For merrimack hockey, the overtime finish closes a quarterfinal defined by timely power-play execution, late resilience from Providence, and a decisive shot in extra time—an upset that reshapes the immediate Hockey East postseason picture coming out of Schneider Arena.
