Previewing the Merrimack Warriors.

Well it is a big weekend in Hockey East, even though there are not many league games. BC, MC and The Other School are all competing for first place in the conference but it should be known that BC has been in first since I believe week two or three (thats amazing). As for Merrimack, no one has bigger weekend than them. They go to that ugly place down Comm Ave tomorrow and then come over to the beautiful side of the Ave on Sunday for a date with the Eagles. Right now, MC is just three points out of first place and the Other School is just one point of first. I don't expect them to be there for to long though. Merrimack was the number one and lone undefeated team in the country for a while until they got swept  by the Providence Friars a couple weeks ago. In terms of their resume, this team has just a  few really quality wins that include BU (when they were good), Northeastern x2, and @ Maine. Im not going to say this team is not "tested" but they certainly are not as tested as a team like BC or Northeastern based on the schedules they have played so far this season.

 Compared to last season's magical run to the Garden and the NCAA's, MC lacks that superstar they had in DeCosta. They have some good players like Flanigan, Todd, and Collins, but I don't know if those guys are as skilled as some of the elite players in the league. One thing that Merrimack does have that no one else does is goaltending. Joe Cannata is in my opinion, the best goalie in the league mainly because of his size which allows him to stop a lot of shots. Merrimack also has some solid defenseman in Stollery, Ellis, and Heywood. Along with these very good puck moving defenseman, Merrimack has a guy named Kyle Bigos. Bigos is as close as it gets to over taking former Other School goon Eric Gryba for Hockey East's all time goon.

Players to watch

1. Ryan  Flanigan (6 G, 8 A)

2. Jesse Todd (6 G, 7 A)

3. Joe Cannata. Ranks in the top three in the league in Save %, GAA, and Winning %.



Keys for the Eagles.

1. Get as many shots as you can on Cannata. He is a great goalie so the more shots, the more chances for rebounds.

2. There will be chancs on the PP so take advantage. Merrimack is third in the league in penalties (guess whose first)

3. Play 60 minutes. A fantastice 20 minutes vs Michigan was not enough, and a good 50 vs Michigan Tech was almost not enough. Play solid from start to finish.


Last time out- BC captured a third Hockey East title in four years as they defeated MC 5-3 at the Garden.

Series History- BC leads 55-20-4. MC has not won at BC since 1997. Wow


Notes- Not sure about goalie yet. My gut feeling is Billett again but I am not really sure. Will hopefully know int he next couple days.


Prediction-BC finally plays a complete game and MC is worn down. 4-2 BC.