Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Posts: 116

The win/loss record comparison is a bit opaque, but I think the others show a clear picture.

League points:

This season was the best of the past 7, but only marginally. One point better than 2007 and two better than last season.

Goals for: the offense is drastically improved, no questions there.

Goals against: the defense is much, much worse. There's also no question here. The worsening of the GA figure has eroded some of the offense's improvement, but the bottom line is that this year's squad is a +3 whereas last year's was -6. That's a decent swing.

Where it hasn't really helped is how those goals are distributed. Some of their wins have been absolutely solid. However, they aren't winning close games, so the statistical improvement in offense has not been fully translated into the W column. If as many of their games were 1-goal contests as they were over the last two seasons, and they were winning them, they could be getting by with less total offense and they'd have a better record. They're winning solidly but not often enough.

Plus, they're still without a road win of any sort, in or out of the league.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2008
Location:
Posts: 84

In my opinion, the success of this team will be determined very soon in the new year. At present I think the coaches and the players are walking on a tight rope, which is a precarious position to be in. There has been talk about being too offensive, get back to playing defensive, many line shuffles, and diminished returns for the special teams. I believe that the players are walking on egg shells with respect to their roles on this team and are a bit lost with respect to the current line chemistry. I did not see a whole lot of chemistry with the lines during the recent loss to UMASS and felt the power play units were not much better. I have also heard Coach Dennehy hinting during his interviews that what the coaches would like to see happening is not necessarily what the players are bringing. Is the game plan that is set out and practiced during the practices being executed in the games? Are the players that are practicing together in practice actually playing together in the games? I have the same question regarding the special teams? There seems to be quite a bit of confusion at game time and hence the break downs. Against UMASS it looked like UMASS had a power play during much of the 5 on 5 play. They utilized the large ice very effectively, which is easy to do when the points are not being covered or playmaking disrupted. In my opinion you should not be able to catch all five MC's defenders with a medium size fishing net with one cast. The guys are too close together and not utilizing the space that they have. I realize that the ice surface is large but I know many of the Merrimack players have lots of experience on larger surfaces, it is the system that has to be adjusted. As discussed earlier, in my opinion, this team's fate will be evident very soon in the new year.

quote:

---

Originally posted by hockeyinthesun
I think people are saying here we go again too soon. Historically, in HockeyEast if you end with a 500 record you have a chance to finish 4th or 5th. Which means if you win your home games you are there. Therefore the only real blemish is the UNH game. If the Mack can win one on the road they are back on course. Patriots aren't winning on the road either, but there a easier rinks to steal one back than BU.

---

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 89

I think people are saying here we go again too soon. Historically, in HockeyEast if you end with a 500 record you have a chance to finish 4th or 5th. Which means if you win your home games you are there. Therefore the only real blemish is the UNH game. If the Mack can win one on the road they are back on course. Patriots aren't winning on the road either, but there a easier rinks to steal one back than BU.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Nov 2009
Location: Merrimack Valley
Posts: 40

Now that Merrimack will be on break until early 2010, I wanted to float out some numbers to gauge this team's development from the past few seasons.

There has been a lot of negative talk about a 7-8-0 record through 15 games, nearly halfway through the season. Understandably so, because this squad could easily be over .500 (loss to UNH, loss on the road to BU). But all things considered, this team is still in good shape vs. their past records and within the standings this season (8th place).

Where would you all rank this squad, roughly halfway through the year?


Here is where prior MC teams stood through 15 games (overall record):

2009-2010 7-8-0
2008-2009 4-8-3
2007-2008 6-7-2
2006-2007 2-12-1
2005-2006 5-8-2
2004-2005 5-9-1
2003-2004 3-8-4

Hockey East points through 15 games:

2009-2010 8 pts (4 wins)
2008-2009 6 pts (2 wins)
2007-2008 7 pts (3 wins)
2006-2007 4 pts (2 wins)
2005-2006 4 pts (1 win)
2004-2005 4 pts (2 wins)
2003-2004 5 pts (1 win)

Goals For (overall):

2009-2010 52
2008-2009 28
2007-2008 32
2006-2007 18
2005-2006 33
2004-2005 46
2003-2004 32

Goals Against (overall):

2009-2010 49
2008-2009 34
2007-2008 45
2006-2007 53
2005-2006 49
2004-2005 61
2003-2004 46

__________________
MC Graduate 2007
Favorite MC Player: Stephane Da Costa
Best Opposing Player: Jimmy Howard

Opposing Arenas Visited:
Matthews Arena, NU; Whittemore Center, UNH; Tsongas Arena, UML; Tully Forum, UML; Agganis Arena, BU

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged