Tag Archives: Friars

Merrimack Warriors Hire Scott Borek

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The newest Head Coach of the Merrimack College Warriors Ice Hockey team is Scott Borek. Merrimack College lured Scott Borek away from Providence College. Scott Borek has been working under Nate Leaman the past three seasons.  Before that, he was working under Dick Umile at the University of New Hampshire since 2003.

Coaching History

Scott Borek first broke into the college hockey scene as a Dartmouth man before a neck injury.  However, the end to his playing career did create some positives.  He remained with the Big Green as a student assistant coach.  Little did Scott Borek know how important to his life taking that role was to his career.

Scott Borek did not squander this new opportunity.  After learning and becoming a student of the game, he turned it into a full time career.  In 1985, Scott Borek became an assistant coach for the Providence College Friars.  Rhode Island remained his home until 1991.  He left his assistant coaching job for his first head coaching job with the Colby Mules.  Scott Borek’s reign as a head coach is an uneventful one as he accumulated a record of 33-35-5.  This led Scott Borek back to the Division 1 scene as, again, an assistant coach with the Lake Superior State Lakers.  Nevertheless, his time as assistant coach only lasted one season.  Following this season, the head coach title was his. This stint lasted four seasons.  Then Borek had another head coaching gig with New England College.  That only lasted one season.

Student of the Game

His up and down time as a head and assistant coach did not last.  Borek found himself working under the legendary Dick Umile.  While a certainly successful run as assistant coach in New Hampshire, Scott Borek’s time at UNH was not without controversy.  During the 2007-2008 season, Borek, who worked with recruits, sent over 900 text messages that are described as “impermissible.”  What is said in these messages is unknown.  However, the incident was self-reported by the school.  Not to mention, Borek only served a two-year suspension.  If the messages were anything unspeakable it is unlikely he would be allowed to remain the game of hockey.

In 2015, Borek made his triumphant return to the Friars. This time working under another legendary coach, Nate Leamen.  During his time as assistant coach, the Friars are extremely successful.  Reaching the NCAA tournament every season under Leamen and Borek.  He oversaw recruiting for the Friars, as well as the defense and the penalty kill.  Under Borek’s tutelage, Providence ranked 7th nationally in defense, and 6th nationally in the penalty kill.  Not too shabby.  When asked about Scott Borek, Nate Leaman says,

“Scott is a tireless worker who has an excellent mind for the game.  He is an effective communicator with the student-athletes and develops long-lasting relationships with his players. His 16 years of experience provide a great base of knowledge for what it takes to be successful in Hockey East.”

Scott Borek is replacing Mark Dennehy as the Warriors head coach.  This upcoming season is going to be a good one for Merrimack.  Watch out for the Warriors on the penalty kill and defense.  Watch his introduction interview:

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn @Ta_CawHawkey

Hockey East Biggest Games 1/20/18

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Hockey East competition is storming into 2018 and teams are beginning to separate themselves. Northeastern officially claimed first place in the Army ROTC Hockey East Rankings with twenty-three points. Likewise, Boston College, although struggling lately is still right there with twenty-two. The Friars’ recent loss put an end to a golden opportunity to gain ground on Northeastern and Boston College. As a result, Providence has twenty-two points and now stands next to Boston University.

Providence College and UConn

The Friars took an early bus ride down to the XL Center on Thursday night for a home and away series against the Huskies. The Friars were led by “Silky Wilky” Josh Wilkins’s two goals on their way to a 3-1 victory. All three of Providence’s goals came in the first period. Vimal Sukumaran’s goal at the end of the period put the game away. Hayden Hawkey’s twenty-three saves continued his hot streak. Following Thursday’s game the Friars ran their unbeaten streak to seven in a row (6-0-1). Huskie goaltender Tanner Creel got just his 3rd start of the season. Creel, a senior, is filling in for the injured Adam Huska and has proved himself worthy. Creel made twenty-seven saves and did not allow any goals after the first period. UConn’s power play struggles cost them as they dropped their fifth straight.

Saturday night the two teams met again as no love was lost in a physical contest. The hits were coming like Pablo Sandoval to a buffet. Several skirmishes broke out and hard checks were occurring up and down the ice. Huskies took advantage of a strong opening period to take the lead 1-0. UConn later extended their lead to 2-0 following a sloppy hit after the whistle penalty from Friar Alternate Captain Vincent Desharnais. The Friars came back strong and Captain Brian Pinho put Providence College on the board. Tanner Creel and the Huskies’ defense stood tall, like a proud oak tree, and added an empty netter to secure the win. Important to realize, this snapped the Friars’ streak of seven straight games without a loss. Watch the highlights here.

UMass Amherst and Northeastern

The stride the Northeastern Huskies are on hit a road block. The number eight ranked Huskies could not put a tally on the board against freshman goalie Matt Murray and the UMass Minutemen. While unranked and in eighth place in the Army ROTC Hockey East Rankings, the Minutemen are securing big wins this season. Coach Greg Carvel credits this win and the win over the Friars as his highlight of the season. This win for the Minutemen was no cakewalk. Northeastern is number eight and in first place in Hockey East for a reason. Northeastern led with shots on goal but the game had no goals until UMass started hitting its groove.

 

 

Additionally, the freshmen got it done for UMass this game. Rookie Mitchell Chaffee put a redirector into the net past Cayden Primeau. Likewise, Chaffee added to his impressive game by sending home a power play goal. Not to mention, another freshman, Mario Ferraro got a drive going that junior, Austin Plevy, put in the bag and took it to check out. UMass outshot the Huskies 32-29.  Northeastern could not get it done on the power play as they squandered their two man advantages. Matt Murray’s fifty-seven saves over the weekend earned him the Pro-Ambitions Rookie of the Week. Watch the highlights here. Northeastern cannot let off the gas again as they go up against the Providence College Friars next weekend.

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

Cover photo courtesy of www.insidehockey.com