Monday, November 5, 2012

Hockey East Weekend Analysis

Merrimack and Boston College were the only two Hockey East teams to take all four points on the weekend.The Warriors swept Northeastern in a home-and-home series while the Eagles won at Maine and defeated UMass-Amherst at home.

UNH came back from an overtime loss at UMass-Amherst to shutout Maine in convincing fashion Sunday afternoon.

Providence and Vermont split their series in Burlington, with the Friars winning Friday and UVM coming back Saturday to earn the split.

Boston University traveled out to Grand Forks to take on North Dakota. The Terriers earned a split, losing Friday before coming from behind to win on Saturday.

Maine and Northeastern were the only two winless teams in Hockey East on the weekend. The Huskies are winless in five straight after a good start while the Black Bears woes continue.

Things Learned This Weekend in Hockey East

1. Merrimack might not be as offensively challenged as many thought they would be. Junior forward Mike Collins has ten points in his last four games after only registering two in his first four games. Josh Myers has also been a key cog offensively and three defensemen, Jordan Heywood, Brendan Ellis and Dan Kolomatis have all produced offensively at a high rate. All five goals in the Warriors win at NU Friay night were scored by defensemen.

2. Maine continues to struggle in every aspect of the game. After a really strong performance in a loss to BC on Friday, the Black Bears looked lost again in a shutout loss to UNH. Offensive, defensive and special team statistics are ugly. The calls for Whitehead's dismissal are picking back up in Orono.

3. Goaltending issues will cost Northeastern from a more successful season. Bryan Mountain came on in relief of Chris Rawlings the previous weekend and played admirablu, but let in some real soft goals against Merrimack Friday night. Huskies coach Jim Madigan came back with Rawlings on Saturday and allowed to goals on juicy rebounds that should not occur at this level.