59 Teams in 59 Days Merrimack

The 59 Teams in 59 days tour continues with a trip to North Andover, Massachusetts where the Merrimack Warriors are featured.

Last year first year head coach Mark Dennehy and the Warriors matched there win total from 2004-2005 with only six wins. This year could be different.

Merrimack had a young team last year, but were very competitive. Sophomore Rob Ricci was the teams leading scorer with 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points. The only other player last year with 10+ goals was Matt Johnson. In all Merrimack totaled 64 goals in 34 games averaging less than two goals per game. With a year under his belt, Ricci could become a pretty good goal scorer, he will need some help however. Expect a sleeper to emerge for the Warriors this year.

The defense was not that much better giving up 114 goals in 34 games. Three Seniors leave from that team, so expect the defense to be youthful this year. Whoever the goalie might be whether its Sophomore Patrick Watson, or Senior Jim Healy, the Warriors will have a lot of work to do if they want to be better on Defense.

Overall I think Merrimack could disturb the Hockey East race this year. Also with an out of conference schedule that can favor the Warriors. With opponents such as Alaska-Anchorage, Brown, and Robert Morris (twice), there could be a boost of confidence if the Warriors indeed go 4-0 in those games. Expect the Warriors to fight for the eighth and final playoff spot in Hockey East along with UMASS-Lowell, and Northeastern.

The predicted ceiling for Merrimack is eighth in Hockey East, while the gutter is 10th.

Tommorrow we will make a trip to Oxford, Ohio where the Miami Redhawks will be featured. National Coach of the year Enrico Blasi helped guide the Redhawks to their first regular-season CCHA title since 1993, now he is back for even better things. Can the Redhawks go from a middle of the road team to a Frozen Four competitor? Find out Tommorrow as we hit day 30 on the 59 Teams in 59 Days tour.