NORTH ANDOVER — Former Merrimack College hockey All-American Jimmy Vesey was standing in lobby with his two sons between the second and third period of the Merrimack-Boston College game two weeks ago when he saw a familiar face.
"Hey Billy," he said with his familiar native Charlestown inflection. "Feels like old times out there, doesn't it?"
Vesey was, of course, referring to the electricity.
But it wasn't the lights (in fact the two big scoreboards on each end of the ice embarrassingly lost power before the game) to which he was referring.
Vesey, who tallied a school-record 95 points in 40 games as a senior at Merrimack, was talking about the energy that 3,000 fans can bring and used to bring like clockwork when he played from 1984 through 1988.
The fact that Merrimack was winning, 4-1 at the time (they eventually beat BC, 5-3), helped matters. But that Merrimack had ramped up that much interest, even if it was for one night, and came through, was not the norm.
You want another thing out of the norm?
The defending champion Boston University Terriers are coming to North Andover tonight and if Merrimack won, well, it wouldn't shock anybody.
It's a little early to go claiming one of the top four spots in Hockey East or ordering trophies, but it isn't too early to appreciate a good thing when we see it.
And right now, Merrimack is good.
Through eight games, Merrimack is 5-3 and 2-1 in "the greatest league in college hockey." They've beaten Vermont and split with BC.
They are 5-0 at home, which is what good teams are supposed to do.
And, maybe their badge of honor was playing two very good games against perennial superpower North Dakota, losing 5-2 and 3-2 to open the season.
"We were scouting (University of New Hampshire) before playing them in the (NCAA regionals) and we were watching the UNH-Merrimack game," said North Dakota coach David Hakstol, of the 1-0 UNH win. "We were supposed to be watching UNH, but we found ourselves impressed with Merrimack. You could see that a little problem putting the puck in the net, but they were disciplined in every facet of the game. I told our guys that we were going to open (the 2009-10 season) with Merrimack. They will not be easy.
"And they weren't," said Hakstol. "They played two goalies. They took care of the puck very well. And they bring their lunch pails to the rink. I like teams like that."
Hard work and $1.90 will get you a medium coffee at Dunkin Donuts.
Merrimack needed more and, thus far, they're getting it.
A year ago, Merrimack scored more than three goals only four times. They've already done it four times in eight games. In fact, Merrimack is the only team averaging over four goals (4.33) in the league.
Two reasons are freshman Stephane Da Costa and junior Chris Barton, who have six and eight goals between them. In only his second game, Da Costa netted five goals in the 6-3 win over Army and Barton is becoming one of the most consistent players in Hockey East.
"It is very early, but obviously we are happy in the direction we are moving," said Merrimack coach Mark Dennehy. "We have gotten good goaltending, too. Our defense has been pretty consistent. But we have room for improvement. I just believe our players believe they can play with anybody."
So do the students and local community. Just like old times.
"I have to admit we notice when the place is packed and they're into the game," said Dennehy. "I've heard about the history here, when students and fans couldn't get enough of Merrimack hockey. We still have a lot to prove, we realize that. But it helps when the rink is full of energy."
E-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com
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