Icers open season with two games in Boston

The MSU hockey team plays in the Ice Breaker Tournament this weekend. Here is a look at the two teams they will face off against. Both games will be at Agganis Arena in Boston.

Massachusetts Minutemen vs. MSU at 4:30 p.m. Friday

Coach: Don Cahoon (22nd season)

Last season’s record: 21-13-5 (missed NCAA Tournament)

Breakdown: Massacusetts is a team that shouldn’t have a problem scoring — as the Minutemen return seven of their top 10 scorers from last season. Between the pipes for Massachusetts is a duo of goaltenders who are likely to split time at the beginning of the year. Paul Dainton, who was named to Hockey East All-Rookie Team last year, was named the starting goalie after Dan Meyers was injured early last year. Both will look to earn the starting job early in the season.

What MSU head coach Rick Comley says: “I think their confidence level is up. They are optimistic that their returning players are going to take a step forward this year.”

No. 9 Boston University Terriers vs. MSU at 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Coach: Jack Parker (36th season)

Last season’s record: 19-17-4 (missed NCAA Tournament)

Breakdown: BU is always a team that contends for the Hockey East title and to no one’s surprise, the Terriers were ranked No. 2 in the preseason Hockey East polls behind defending national champion Boston College.

BU is a veteran team this season, as it returns eight of its top 10 scorers and five of its six starting defenders. Colin Wilson is expected to take his game to the next level this year after being drafted seventh overall by the Nashville Predators. But the Achilles’ heel for BU is surely going to be its goaltending. The Terriers return goaltender Adam Kraus who only started two games last season. Parker has openly said the position is “wide open” as Kraus will be competing against two incoming freshman.

What Comley says: “Their core of talent is really good. If anything, they wonder how their goaltending is going to be.”

No. 11 MSU

Coach: Rick Comley (7th season)

Last season’s record: 25-12-5 (NCAA West Regional Finalist)

Breakdown: The Spartans are the only team this weekend to have a solid, experienced goaltender between the pipes.

With the number of freshman out there for the Green and White Game, it’s going to be a big-time adjustment for them to adapt to the speed and skill of the collegiate level — especially playing against two teams who return a large number of players.

The upperclassmen are going to have to pull their weight early on and show the youngsters the ropes. But let’s be honest: For the Spartans to have success this weekend and early in the season, senior goaltender Jeff Lerg is going to have to play out of his mind and keep the team in close games.

What Comley says: “(The tournament provides) good matchups for us as far as increasing the quality of what our freshmen and young kids have seen. The more teams we can play the better it is for us.”

Published on Wednesday, October 8, 2008