College Hockey:

NESCAC Season Preview

Finally!

Just a few days before Thanksgiving and the last of the D-III leagues get underway this weekend after three grueling weeks of practice and looking at players wearing the same color shirts. Surviving without sustaining any injuries to players anxious to start the season is only one of the areas of concern for coaches looking to put all of the pieces together with returning and new players alike.

Just about everyone is ready to play somebody else at this point and see what they really have on the ice against some very talented competition in both the NESCAC and ECAC East conferences. Just how competitive is it? Well, last years sixth seed (Trinity) in the tournament ended up riding a hot goalie and great team play right through the conference championship and into the second round of the NCAA tournament.

The theme from all of the coaches has been pick me sixth — just kidding. For most it has been enough of the practice, lets get the games going! There is a lot of condensed action starting this weekend. And the next three weeks includes some great tournament action and key league match ups before the holidays.

I dont expect anything to be much different than the past few seasons, stated Colby head coach Jim Tortorella. It will be very competitive without any nights off and the final standings will probably be decided on the final weekend. Everyone wants to bank some points early, survive some lumps and bumps in January and be playing their best in February to peak at the right time. It will be fun and it all starts with some great games this weekend.

Here we go. Get ready for some exciting action starting on Friday night.

Teams are listed in order of predicted finish by USCHO.com.

Bowdoin Polar Bears

2007-2008 Overall Record: 17-7-0
2007-2008 League Record: 13-6-0
2007-2008 League Finish: Third
2008-2009 USCHO Prediction: First

Team Overview: We are in great shape and have a great work ethic with balance across all of the classes, noted head coach Terry Meagher. Our kids have been through the league and know how to produce. We just need to get our save percentage above .900. I think its become the most important statistic in hockey and if we can get there we will be competitive.

Special Teams: Bowdoin excels on special teams and converting on 25% of their power plays like they did last season will put pressure on opponents to stay out of the penalty box.

Junior Colin MacCormick has a knack for special teams and game-winning goals.

Players to Watch: Junior forward Colin MacCormick looks to build on a solid sophomore season which produced 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points. Freshman goalie Richard Nerland adds greater depth to the goaltending position and will challenge incumbents Nick Smith and Chris Rossi for playing time.

Summary: The Polar Bears have a ton of talent and a group of players that seem to enjoy everything about playing the game. The January 18 opening of Sid Watson Arena on campus against Williams will be a very exciting event and usher in a new era for Bowdoin hockey.

Trinity Bantams

2007-2008 Overall Record: 16-11-2
2007-2008 League Record: 8-9-2
2007-2008 League Finish: Sixth
2008-2009 USCHO Prediction: Second

Team Overview: Last years edition of the Bantams saw the team peak at the right time, backed by terrific goaltending and timely scoring in securing their second NESCAC championship and third NCAA bid in the past five years.

Our strength is from the goal mouth out, commented second year head coach Dave Cataruzolo. Our real questions are going to be about who steps up offensively and playing better away from home where we struggled last season.

Special Teams: Part of the challenges offensively was a 14% success rate on the power play last season. The Bantams will need to find some goals with the man advantage to take the pressure off five-on-five play where their work ethic has produced lots of chances but not a lot of goals — just 81 in 29 games last season.

Player to Watch: Sophomore Wes Vesprini delivered last year going 11-4-1 with a 2.37 goals against average (GAA) and .922 save percentage. If Vesprini can match last years play, the Bantams wont need much offense to be in every game.

Summary: Newcomers like forward Paul Jascott and defenseman Mike DeMayo will add to an experienced group of players that looks to build on last years championship run and play more consistent hockey during the early part of the season. Trinity wont surprise anyone this year but their work ethic will make sure everyone shows up to play every night.

Middlebury Panthers

2007-2008 Overall Record: 18-7-2
2007-2008 League Record: 12-5-2
2007-2008 League Finish: Second
2008-2009 USCHO Prediction: Third

Team Overview: Its a different look for us this year, noted head coach Bill Beaney. We will have a lot of new faces in the line up after graduating a big class so things will evolve over time. I do like what I see from the effort in practice but we are ready to go play and see what we have in some real game situations.

Special Teams: A hallmark of Beaney coached teams, the Panthers will look to some new faces to produce on both ends of the ice including freshman Martin Drolet. Senior Jamie McKenna will look to build on last years 22 point season and two power-play goals.

Player to Watch: Freshman John Yanchek joins senior Doug Raeder in goal for Middlebury and looks to continue the teams reputation for strong goaltending and stingy defense.

Summary: The Panthers lost some key players to graduation, but have brought in a half dozen talented players to build on their reputation for aggressive defense, team speed, and opportunistic offense. Early schedule challenges include St. Thomas and either Plattsburgh or Norwich in the Primelink Tournament which this year will be hosted at Middlebury.

Amherst Lord Jeffs

2007-2008 Overall Record: 14-9-3
2007-2008 League Record: 11-6-2
2007-2008 League Finish: Fourth
2008-2009 USCHO Prediction: Fourth

Senior Joel Covelli is the offensive leader for the Amherst Lord Jeffs.

Team Overview: We have a talent level similar to last year, noted Amherst head coach Jack Arena. That said, our expectations are higher than last year. We will need to rely on some good depth and strong goaltending and offensively look to last seasons leading scorer, senior Joel Covelli [11-20-31], to lead the way.

Special Teams: The Lord Jeffs have quietly built a reputation for an excellent power play. This year will be no different as Arena will be looking for production from a number of people, including newcomer Eddie Effinger.

Players to Watch: Sophomore goalies Jonathan LaRose (8-2-1, 2.12 GAA, .931 save pct.) and Cole Anderson (6-7-1, 2.42 GAA, .924 save pct.) were nothing short of spectacular last year and give Amherst depth, allowing them to keep both players fresh throughout the season. With a veteran group of defenders in front of them, their numbers could be better this season.

Summary: Over the past thre