Previewing The Merrimack College Warriors

Fresh after being named the college hockey champions in the City of Boston on Monday, the Eagles must gear up for yet another tough test this weekend as they get a home and home with Merrimack. In their first meeting this year, the Eagles tied the Warriors but probably should have lost as the Warriors were able to get a tying goal in the last minute and had a goal called back in OT. It is pretty fair to say that both teams have really changed since their January 8th meeting in Chestnut Hill. Since then, the Warriors have been able to stay in the race for home ice along with the Eagles, Terriers, Riverhawks, and Black Bears. Merrimack currently sits in fourth place in the league but are just a point back of the second place Eagles. If you have watched the Warriors this year, one thing stands out to you, they don't play a very exciting brand of hockey such as BC or Maine but they play solid defense and get great goaltending every night. You see, Merrimack does not have the skill of BC, BU, or Maine but they certainly have the best goalie and play the best team defense compared to all of those other teams. When you look at BC, you say their best play is Kreider, when you look at Maine you say Abbott but when you talk Merrimack, it is none other than their star goal Joe Cannata. Cannata ranks in the top four for every major statistical category in the league and is also very high in the country.

After seeing Merrimack play vs BU and even UNH, I don't know if this team can compete with the speed and skill level that BC has. I know they were able to tie us on January 8th but since then, the BC offense has been hitting on all cylinders. Merrimack has some good players like Flanigan, Todd, and Collins but I really don't think even those guys can compete with the skill of the Eagle forwards. Merrimack doesn't have the skill but they sure work hard. Every since Mark Dennehy took over the Warriors, they have slowly but surly turned into a Hockey East contender.

Players to Watch- Merrimack only has one player that has scored more than 9 goals this year.

1. Jesse Todd. Todd is that Warrior that has recorded more than 9 goals on the year as he is second on the team with 10 goals and 12 assist.

2. Ryan Flanigan leads all Warriors in points as he has recorded 8 goals and 15 assist on the year.

3. Joe Cannata. In many people minds (including mine) he is the best goaltender in Hockey East. The only real way to beat him is to get him moving. Since he is so big, he can stop a lot of shots.

Keys for the Eagles 

1. Match the effort on Monday. The effort on Monday (especially in OT) was one of the best ones of the year. Let's hope it continues this weekend.

2. The same guys are getting penalty minutes. Steven Whitney and Chris Kreider, two of the best players on this team, have combines for 83 penalty minutes this year. If it continues, bad things will happen

3. Generating Chances. The team can't just get shots on Cannata, they need really good shots/chances. 9/10 times, Cannata is going to stop a shot from the point when there is no traffic.

Notes 

1. Boston College is 55-20-5 all time vs Merrimack. The Warrior senior class has NEVER won @ Conte.

2. Merrimack has not won a game @ Boston College since 1997

3. BC is currently second in the pairwise rankings while Merrimack sits at 11th.

Prediction- This BC team is looking scary good right now. BC 5-3

BIGGEST NOTE- If Coach York and the team pick up a win tomorrow, it will be #900 for coach. What a special moment that would be if they could do it for him @ home.