Tag Archives: Mike McLaughlin

Jun 20 2012

100 Hockey East Players Named To All-Academic Team

By NoontimeSports.com 

The Hockey East Association announced a list of 100 players on Wednesday, (a league record) who were named to the 2011-12 All-Academic Team. All of the players earned a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher during two academic semesters this past season.

Three players earned the distinct honor as Top-Scholar Athletes, and they were Providence’s Andy Balysky, Merrimack’s Ryan Flanigan and Northeastern’s Mike McLaughlin – all three seniors registered a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Also, the league announced five seniors that maintained a GPA of 3.0 or better over the course of four varsity seasons, and they were Vermont’s Matt Marshall, Boston University’s Ryan Ruikka, Balysky, Flanigan and McLaughlin. All five players earned the status Distinguished Scholar.

For more information on the Hockey East — HOP HERE.

Nov 6 2011

Merrimack Rallies to Beat Northeastern, 3-2 OT

By Brian Willwerth 

BOSTON, MA – Merrimack College entered Saturday night’s game at Northeastern as one of only two unbeaten teams left in the country. The Warriors stayed that way thanks to a dramatic victory.

Ryan Flanigan scored a shorthanded goal with just over three minutes remaining in overtime, as Merrimack defeated Northeastern, 3-2, in a physical game at Matthews Arena.

“I’m very proud of the effort tonight,” said Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy.  “I thought our guys played better as the game went on.  Northeastern puts a lot of pressure on you… then we responded.”

In the first period, just after the Huskies’ initial power play had expired, they broke out on top first. Joseph Manno and Mike McLaughlin broke in on an odd-man rush, and McLaughlin finished it off by beating Joe Cannata to put NU up, 1-0. It was McLaughlin’s third goal of the season.

Just over three minutes later, the Huskies got another highlight-reel goal. Rob Dongara took a beautiful feed from McLaughlin and beat Cannata to make it 2-0.

“I thought we started off really well,” said Huskies’ head coach Jim Madigan.  “What happened in the first period was going to be our downfall as the game went along…too many bad penalties.”

The first of those penalties came later in the period. John Manson got a major penalty and game misconduct for hitting from behind. The Warriors took advantage with 47 seconds remaining on the man advantage. Mike Collins’ wrist shot beat Chris Rawlings to make it 2-1. It’s Collins’ first goal of the season. The Warriors outshot the Huskies in the opening period, 8-5.

In the second period, the Huskies got an early 5-on-3 advantage, but could not add to their lead. Another NU power play did produce any scoring. Both Rawlings and Cannata were solid in their respective nets. Rawlings turned away all 11 shots from the Warriors, while Cannata stopped all nine coming from the sticks of NU players.

Merrimack tied the game on the power play with 8:30 to go in the 3rd period.  Mike Collins scored his second goal of the game, almost a carbon-copy of his first one, to make it 2-2.

“When you’re struggling, frustration sets in,” said Madigan.  “The puck movement isn’t as fluid.  That’s something we’ll have to get better at.”

Merrimack’s Carter Madsen became the second player to get record a major penalty/game misconduct for hitting from behind. But the Huskies could not cash in. Then with 1.7 seconds left, Kyle Bigos was whistled for high sticking, a penalty that carried over into overtime. In OT, Rhett Bly flipped the puck high out of the defensive end, into the glove of Flanigan, who broke in alone on Rawlings and did the rest.

“I didn’t see (Flanigan’s) celebration,” said Dennehy. “He finished it off pretty nice.”

Both teams return to action Friday night. The Warriors travel to Boston University, while the Huskies go on the road to take on Boston College.

Oct 14 2011

Northeastern Blanks UNH, 4-0

By Joshua Kummins 

BOSTON, MA – After a tie and a loss last weekend, the Jim Madigan era at Northeastern University finally saw their first win on Friday night at Matthews Arena, as junior goaltender Chris Rawlings pitched his school-record ninth shutout in a 4-0 decision over No. 15 New Hampshire.

“Obviously, it was a great win for our team,” said Northeastern head coach Jim Madigan. “We had a good week of practice and we brought the game into its simplest form in all three zones.”

It was all Huskies in the first period, as they tagged New Hampshire senior Matt DiGirolamo for three scores on just six shots.

Northeastern took the 1-0 lead at the 6:29 mark of the first stanza, as Braden Pimm redirected a nifty pass in the slot from junior line-mate Steve Quailer. Then, sophomore Zak Stone was found at the right place at the right time and sent a loose puck through the five-hole on DiGirolamo for his first collegiate goal before Justin Daniels made it 3-0 for the home team at the 9:21.

“[The three goals] gave us a chance to believe in what we worked on all week in practice-just actually coming through,” said Madigan.

New Hampshire surrendered five goals in a shutout at BU last Saturday and had been blanked just six times in the last five seasons, including just two in ‘10-’11. Although, despite 14 total shots in the opening period, neither team was able to light the lamp in the middle stanza, as both goaltenders settled in to keep the score at 3-0 in favor of the home team.

At the start of the third period, the Huskies put several golden chances towards DiGirolamo’s cage, including a point-blank shot from Robbie Vrolyk on the right circle before eventually sophomore Luke Eibler connected with senior captain Mike McLaughlin on the right circle for his second goal of the season.

McLaughlin took a wrist shot that was deflected into the net over DiGirolamo’s right shoulder, allowing the Reading, Mass. native and sophomore Jeff Wyer to see his first regular-season game action ever in a Wildcat uniform.

Wyer made three saves in the final 11:23, while DiGirolamo made 14 stops in 48:37 and was credited with his second defeat of the season.

For Husky goaltender Chris Rawlings, this particular game was a great comeback from last weekend’s dismal performance.

“It was a complete 180 from Maine,” said Rawlings. “Our team was completely different in all three zones. The biggest key was all the shots we blocked…Pucks were not getting through, which makes my job a lot easier.”

The Huskies return to action next Friday night at Merrimack, while UNH’s home opener is tomorrow against the nation’s top ranked team, Boston College.

GAME NOTES:

* With the Huskies’ first blanking of the season, Rawlings record 27 saves en route to tying Brad Theissen’s career record with nine shutouts from ‘06-‘09.

* The Huskies had not scored three goals in a period since the third and deciding game of the Hockey East Quarterfinals at Boston University on March 13.

* Zak Stone played in 14 games last year, recording his only point on an assist against Harvard on Jan. 19.

* The Huskies have enjoyed recent success when leading after two periods with a [20-3-3] record over the past two seasons.

Feb 8 2011

Northeastern Blanks Harvard, Advances to Beanpot Championship

By Matt Noonan

BOSTON, MA – Northeastern University [9-11-6] kicked off the 59th Annual Boston Beanpot tournament on Monday with an enormous win over Harvard University [4-18-0], 4-0.

“Our special teams were a big factor offensively. I think we were sloppy [and] had some chances, [but] our defense [did] a good job cleaning out the puck [and] did a good job limiting chances,” said Northeastern University head coach Greg Cronin.

The game began with both Harvard and Northeastern trading shots in the opponents zone, although, the scoreless tie changed eventually when Huskies forward Mike McLaughlin scored his first of two goals halfway through the first period. This particular goal gave the Huskies a much-needed spark for the remainder of the game.

“I know when I came on my visit [to Northeastern University], Northeastern lost to Harvard [in the Beanpot tournament] and it kind of stuck in my mind. [Tyler] McNeely and all the seniors stressed that point, but I don’t think it matters who you play, you just want to play your game and make it to the second game,” said McLaughlin.

Northeastern would add to their small lead in the second period, as they combined for three goals in 20-minutes. McLaughlin netted his second goal during the first two minutes of the period. The Huskies then added a third goal when Steve Silva scored halfway through the second period.

Despite their 3-0 lead, the Huskies weren’t done scoring, as they watched Reid Brodie find the back of the net and beat Harvard’s goaltender, Ryan Carroll (20-saves) before the second period had officially ended. This particular goal secured a large lead and eventually helped Northeastern punch their ticket to yet another Beanpot championship.

Harvard attempted a small comeback during the final few minutes of the third period, but it was unsuccessful.

“Being from far away in Vancouver, you don’t really know a lot about the Beanpot, but once you get here, you find out it is one of the biggest tournaments in all of college hockey, especially in Boston. It is just nice to contribute today,” said Northeastern goaltender Chris Rawlings.

Northeastern will face Boston College in the championship and will look to earn their fifth tournament trophy in school history.

“[All I have to say is] congratulations to Northeastern. They outplayed us in every facet of the game,” said Harvard University head coach Ted Donato.