Preview: Warriors continue Hockey East stretch to start the year

Merrimack and New Hampshire renew their Hockey East rivalry on Saturday night at Lawler Arena.

For Scott Borek’s Warriors, it marks a continuation of a challenging conference-heavy start to the 2025–26 campaign. This will be Merrimack’s third straight Hockey East game to open the season. It’s a rare schedule quirk. The last time the Warriors began a season with three consecutive league contests — excluding the COVID-shortened campaign where they only played league games — was 30 years ago under Ron Anderson, when Merrimack opened with eight straight conference games (1995-96).

The Warriors enter the weekend fresh off of last Friday’s 4–1 win over UMass Lowell in their home opener.

Meanwhile, Mike Souza’s Wildcats head to North Andover after splitting a tough road series at Michigan State. The Spartans are projected by many (myself included) to be one of the top teams in the nation this season.

Game Details

When: Saturday, Oct. 18
Puck Drop: 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: North Andover, Mass.
Venue: Lawler Arena (2,549)
TV/Stream: Watch (ESPN+) » Watch (INTL)