Boston College Men’s Hockey vs. Merrimack Preview

After a tough schedule to start the season, things are starting to lighten up for the struggling Eagles. This weekend, BC will face Merrimack in a home and away series with hopes to turn things around. Like the Eagles, Merrimack has struggled so far this season. The Warriors only win is against UMass... but they also were shut out 4-0 by the Minutemen. BC has always struggled at Lawler Arena, but it would be surprising (and concerning) if the Eagles don’t at least pick up a win at Conte on Friday.

GAME DETAILS

Who: Boston College Eagles (1-5-1) vs.

Merrimack Warriors (1-4-2)

Game 1

When: Friday, November 3 @ 7:00 PM

Where: Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, MA

How to Watch: ESPN3

How to Listen: WEEI 850 AM or BCEagles.com

Live Stats: (x)

How to Follow: @BCHockey, @BCInterruption, @LBerestecki, @Salzano14, @JoeGrav, @ArthurBailin, @Caligraphy15.

Game 2

When: Saturday, November 4 @ 7:00 PM

Where: Lawler Arena, North Andover, MA

How to Watch: http://merrimackathletics.com/watch/?Live=108&type=Live

How to Listen: WEEI 850 AM or BCEagles.com

Live Stats: (x)

How to Follow: @BCHockey, @BCInterruption, @LBerestecki, @Salzano14, @JoeGrav, @ArthurBailin, @Caligraphy15.

STATS

Goals per game: BC: 1.7 Merrimack: 2.3

Opponent goals per game: BC: 3.6 Merrimack: 3.9

Power play conversion: BC: 14.8% Merrimack: 16.2%

Penalty kill: BC: 78.4% Merrimack: 64.5%

Penalties per game: BC: 6.3 Merrimack: 5.3

Face-off win percentage: BC: 49.5% Merrimack: 51.4%

Ice Cream of the Game

Many of our other previews feature a beverage of the game, but this year we’ll be picking an ice cream dessert of the game for MIH games. Why, you ask? Because when Jerry York got the BC coaching job, he went out for ice cream sundaes to celebrate.

With this being a match-up between two Massachusetts schools in autumn, this weekend’s ice cream of choice is cranberry sorbet. The most Massachusetts fruit AND on theme for the month on November.

Cat Predictions

Every game, we have the cats of the Ellen M. Gifford Cat Shelter (located right across from BC at 30 Undine Road) predict the outcome of the games. The Gifford Cat Shelter is the oldest cageless, no-kill shelter in the USA.

Traveler is feeling good about BC this week and is predicting a 5-2, 3-1 BC sweep.

Human Predictions

Laura: BC 3, Merrimack 1 and BC 2, Merrimack 2

Grant: BC 3, Merrimack 1 and Merrimack 2, BC 1

Steven: BC 4, Merrimack 1 and BC 4, Merrimack 1

Arthur: BC 5, Merrimack 1 and BC 4, Merrimack 3

Prediction Standings (3 points for the 100% correct score, 2 points for the correct outcome & goal differential, 1 point for the correct outcome)

Grant: 8

Laura: 4

Arthur: 4

AJ: 1

Cats: 1

Steven: 1

Eric: 0

Eaglekeeper: 0

Share your prediction in the comments!