Friday, October 2
Fairfield, Conn.
4:00 PM
Sacred Heart
0-0-0
1
vs
3
Merrimack
0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Sacred Heart | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Photo by: Emily George
Men's Ice Hockey Battles Ranked Merrimack Tough in Preseason Opener
10/2/2026 7:12:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
Diego Buttazzoni scored SHU's goal in a 3-1 setback
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey team was tied with No. 20 Merrimack after two periods in today's preseason opener at the Martire Family Arena, but the Warriors scored twice in the third period to win 3-1.Â
The Warriors dominated the first period, holding a 1-0 lead and a 15-3 advantage in shots. Facing so many shots, Ajeet Gundarah was locked in with 14 saves. The lone goal came on a tip in front of the crease that Gundarah was a hair away from getting his shoulder on.Â
The Sacred Heart offense came alive in the second period, taking a 19-11 lead in shots. All the increased pressure led to a SHU equalizer at 13:58. On the power play, Diego Buttazzoni cleaned up a Vitaly Levyy shot at the crease to tie the game at 1-1. Diego's brother, Mirko Buttazzoni, got an assist on the play.
Merrimack retook the lead, 2-1, 3:14 into the third period, capitalizing on a SHU turnover in the neutral zone. Jacob Frasca sniped the left corner on a breakaway to break the tie. Â
The Warriors added another goal, on the power play, at 17:01 to ice a 3-1 win.Â
Gundarah did his best to keep the Pios in the bout, finishing with 25 saves.Â
Notes:
The Pioneers opened the Martire Family Arena for its fourth full season tonight.Â
SHU has met Merrimack in the last four preseasons.Â
Up Next:
The Pioneers welcome Carleton on Sunday for a 2 p.m. scrimmage at the Martire Family Arena. Â
Â
The Warriors dominated the first period, holding a 1-0 lead and a 15-3 advantage in shots. Facing so many shots, Ajeet Gundarah was locked in with 14 saves. The lone goal came on a tip in front of the crease that Gundarah was a hair away from getting his shoulder on.Â
The Sacred Heart offense came alive in the second period, taking a 19-11 lead in shots. All the increased pressure led to a SHU equalizer at 13:58. On the power play, Diego Buttazzoni cleaned up a Vitaly Levyy shot at the crease to tie the game at 1-1. Diego's brother, Mirko Buttazzoni, got an assist on the play.
Merrimack retook the lead, 2-1, 3:14 into the third period, capitalizing on a SHU turnover in the neutral zone. Jacob Frasca sniped the left corner on a breakaway to break the tie. Â
The Warriors added another goal, on the power play, at 17:01 to ice a 3-1 win.Â
Gundarah did his best to keep the Pios in the bout, finishing with 25 saves.Â
Notes:
The Pioneers opened the Martire Family Arena for its fourth full season tonight.Â
SHU has met Merrimack in the last four preseasons.Â
Up Next:
The Pioneers welcome Carleton on Sunday for a 2 p.m. scrimmage at the Martire Family Arena. Â
Â
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Ice Hockey
F
/ Men's Ice Hockey
G
/ Men's Ice Hockey
F
/ Men's Ice HockeyTeam Stats
MC
SHU
Shots
28
23
PPG
1
1
SHG
0
0
Penalties
6
7
Penalty Mins
12
14
Faceoffs Won
27
27
Game Leaders
+/-
-1
Goals
1
Sh
4
A
0
+/-
0
Goals
0
Sh
2
A
1
+/-
-1
Goals
0
Sh
1
A
1
+/-
0
Goals
0
Sh
4
A
0
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