Huskies on the board, BC/BU in a fog, B's in action

Ray Ortiz played well last night, but his line will need to pick up its play even more if Morris is out.

Northeastern finally picked up its first Hockey East victory last night, defeating visiting Merrimack 4-1. Tons of penalties and sloppy play characterized much of the game. Amidst a second period NU power-play, I saw Mike Morris take a shoulder or elbow to his head - he shook it off but before long, skated off from the his post on the point and headed to the bench. I noticed he didn't return, and as I went to drop off the shot charts in between periods, there was Morris, dressed in a shirt and tie, with a dejected look on his face. Without jumping to any conclusions, I can only muse that he suffered a minor tweak, keeping him out the rest of the game, or in the worst case scenario, another blow to the head which could mean any number of serious consequences.

Down at the end of the B-line, most hockey fans and media were geared up for the BU at BC matchup, only to see the game called midway through the first due to unsafe ice conditions. Apparently, BC had seen condensation build up along the glass during a day-time pregame practice. But the ice seemed fine at the start of the game, only to break down, forcing the refs to determine couldn't see it fit to play. The second game of the home-and-home series will be played tonight at BU's Agganis Arena.


Captain Ryan Sullivan and the Warriors will need to score at least twice to have a chance tonight.

My plans to see the "Newsical" have been wiped out, as I am now headed to Merrimack's
Volpe Center in North Andover. The facilities have recently been renevoted, with updates in the visiting locker rooms. You can't help but laugh when looking at this web post, which as of yesterday appeared on the front page of the hockey section. Even worse, a few days prior, it headlined MC's athletic website. I've heard MC's hockey facilities are pretty poor, and renovations are always great, but advertising an extremely lackluster facility, with pictures showcasing its downfalls both before and after, is not something any university should take on. I would understand if there were shots of a newly carpented, painted lockerooms, with intricate shelving for equipment, video equipment in the corners for mid-period examinations and white boards lining the walls for instruction use. But we are talking stalls, shower heads and bare walls here.


With an extra shower head, I expect to be out of Volpe twice as fast tonight.

I'm excited for my trip to the Volpe. I think I might have played high school hockey there.

The B's are back in action tonight - I'm going to miss the game, but I suspect the Bruins will have a better effort tonight than they did last Friday against the Canes. Nothing will top Thursday's game, however. Note, Paul Mara will not be in the lineup tonight, despite earlier reports that he was determined and willing to play through any leg pain.