ECAC Season Preview - Saint Lawrence

Saint Lawrence Saints

Last Years Finish - 5th

Key Returnees - Kyle Rank Sr. F, Kevin DeVergilio So. F, Drew Bagnall Sr. D

Key Losses - T.J Trevelyan F, John Zeiler F, Mike Madill D

Saint Lawrence started the 2005-2006 season off strong with a 10-3-0 record. The Saints we're ranked 3rd in the pairwise rankings at one time and were sitting in the catbird seat at the midway point of the season as on of the strongest teams in the ECAC. Lead by TJ Trevelyan the Saints were looking good until a trip to Ithaca and Colgate. This sweep on the road ended up in a 7-10-1 finish that buried the Saints chances at the NCAA tournament. SLU looks to the 2006-2007 season with high hopes but there are too many holes to fill this year for the Saints to be successful.

Up front the loss of the Class of 2006 is a killer for the Saint's offense. Trevelyan, John Zeiler, Mike Zbriger accounted for 30 percent of SLU's offensive production. Toss in the contributions of defenseman Mike Madill and it's 35 percent. Head coach Joe Marsh and his staff have put forth a yeoman's effort recruiting what could be one of the stronger classes in the ECAC, but there is plenty to be said for senior experience over raw talent. Looking past the recruits the bulk of the load will fall on senior Kyle Rank and sophomore Kevin DeVergilio. DeVergilio has the talent to be an upper echelon forward in the league but if his team mates can not put up numbers to draw defenses away from him, SLU will be struggling to find the net.

On defense the return of Drew Bagnall from a brutal wrist injury is crucial. Bagnal is looking to re-establish himself as a top level defender and to fill the offensive production lost by Madill. A strong sophomore trio of Zach Miskovic, Matt Generous and Shawn Fensel will also be expected to step up provide solid minutes in front of goaltender Justin Pesony. Last year SLU allowed 3 goals per game in conference play while scoring 3.36. Without the high offensive output SLU could be in trouble keeping game differential to one goal.

In net SLU will most likely turn to junior Justin Pesony. Pesony started 36 of SLU's 40 games and posted a 20-14-2 record with a .888 save percentage and a 2.90 GAA. Like the forwards and defense man, Pesony has the talent to be a top level goaltender, the problem is just putting the pieces together and pulling out the big game. In one goal games last year SLU was 11-10. Pesony is going to have to be stronger this year and allow SLU to win the tight games for them to be a first round bye team.

St. Lawrence has the talent, coaching and motivation to be a top four team, however the Saints are about a year away from putting it all together.

Best Case Finish - 4th
Worst Case Finish - 8th

CHF's Pick - 7th