Breaking down Merrimack's 2024-25 men's hockey schedule month-by-month

Merrimack’s 2024-25 men’s hockey schedule became official last week.

The Warriors open the season on Oct. 6 against Stonehill at Lawler Arena. They’ll also host Sacred Heart in an exhibition game on Oct. 5.

The schedule is highlighted by 15 home games and a trip to Belfast for the Friendship Four over Thanksgiving weekend.

The Hockey East playoffs begin on March 12 with the first round (6v11, 7v10, 8v9). The quarterfinals will be on March 15 and the semifinals and finals will be held at TD Garden on March 21-22.

Here is my month-by-month breakdown of Merrimack’s schedule, including thoughts on opponents and a predicted record.

October

• 5th - vs. Sacred Heart (Exh.)

• 6th - vs. Stonehill

• 11th - @ Minnesota State

• 12th - @ Minnesota State

• 18th - vs. New Hampshire

• 26th - vs. UMass Lowell

The season’s first weekend features an exhibition against Sacred Heart and a home game against Stonehill. Those should be a nice tune-up to start the season. Sacred Heart is projected to be one of the top teams in Atlantic Hockey (with many Hockey East transfers). I want to tell you that Stonehill should be a great way for the Warriors to ease into the season with a victory. However, Merrimack barely survived the Skyhawks last season, and their roster is improved. Merrimack is still the better team on paper (by a considerable measure), but if they sleepwalk through this game, it could be a big problem.

Merrimack travels to Minnesota State the second weekend of the month. The Mavericks return the favor and will come to Lawler Arena in 2026-27.

The Mavericks are a far cry from the team that made the Frozen Four two years ago, but they played well in the CCHA last season. I think they drop off slightly from where they were last season, but those should be competitive games on the road.

Hockey East play begins on the 18th against New Hampshire. The Wildcats caught lightning in a bottle last season and overperformed. They have several new faces, including a new goalie (UAA transfer Jared Whale). I have Merrimack and UNH finishing close to each other in the standings.

UMass Lowell rolls into North Andover to close out the month. Lowell rebuilt its defense, and the Riverhawks are always challenging to play against. Looking at their roster, I have them projected to finish below Merrimack, with scoring being their most significant issue.

Prediction: 3-1-1 (1-0-1 HEA)