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Merrimack 2026-2027: Great Expectations

R

RENCEB

Well-known member
Last year's run through the Hockey East Tournament was completely unexpected. Warriors got hot at the right time, and rode some incredible goaltending to the Tourney Championship. Can they replicate that success this year?
In net, Max Lundgren is gone (Bruins signee) so Freshman Linards Feldbergs has some huge skates to fill. He got thrown into the fire taking on a very strong QU team right out of the gate. I imagine he'll get the majority of games, while backup Ryan Keyes will get spot duty.
This is one of the strongest offensive teams MC has had in years. They return their top 11 scorers from last year, including 3 players with over 30 points and 2 20+ goal scorers. Parker Lalonde (37) Trevor Hoskin (35) and Justin Gill (35) can all score, and there's not much drop off to players like Nick Pierre (25) Caelan Fitzpatrick (29) and Caden Cranston (22). Warriors dropped 8 on Minnesota State this weekend.
Defense will be led by Sr. Seamus Powell and Austin Oravetz while Cam Kungle and Nathan King are back after solid sophomore seasons.
Newcomers who may contribute include Mavrick Lachance and Jacob Frasca up front, and Simon-Pier Brunet on D.
A decent start to the season at 2-1-1 and ranked 20th in the USCHO poll.
Looking forward to the season, and would love to see them back at the Garden!
 
RENCEB said:
Ooops, Jacob Frasca already left and went back to Juniors. Hard to crack the lineup given how many returnees.
Click to expand...
Technically, he went back to his pro team. But your overall point still stands: there will be some very talented guys not dressed each night.

The depth was especially evident after Lalonde went down at the end of the UNH game. (McMahon says he could return soon, which is great news for both his health and the team.) Borek shuffled his lines over the two-day series vs MSU, and got great results. Some of that was the Mavericks getting in their own way, but you don't score 8 by accident.

Love what I see from the King-Beyer pair so far. They were already solid last year, and having another year of experience can't hurt. While it's early, both are averaging at least a point-per game so far. Plus, Powell has 5 points in 4 games.

It's kinda crazy for me to see Brunet not even cracking the lineup sometimes. I only really remember the last few seasons clearly, but I can't recall the last time MC had a drafted player not dressing for games.

I think Keyes played reasonably well for his first start in years. Would have liked to see him cover the puck on the second goal, but it is what it is.

I wish more MC fans were on this forum as well. The other HE schools definitely seem more active on here.
 
Nick Pierre with the GWG in OT. Box score shows they got outshot 33-22, and really got waxed on faceoffs, winning only 21 of 57 (tough night at the dot for Justin Gill, winning only 3 of 14). Great to see Parker Lalonde back in the lineup.

Get the sweep tomorrow night!
 
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