Colby 2010

2009 Recap: Colby's solid season ranked as the second most surprising team performance in the NESCAC last year. Led by a stud FOGO in sophomore Craig Bunker and a two-headed monster at attack with Caddy Brooks (MVP of the all-Name team) and Whit McCarthy, the Mules managed to qualify for the NESCAC tournament. Their signature win came over Bowdoin in a 9-8 OT thriller. However, they struggled to compete with the other members of the NESCAC elite and suffered embarrassing losses to Conn and Bates, surprising results for a team that did an excellent job against mid-tier teams with wins over Trinity, Amherst and Williams.

2010 Trend: Stationary

What's hot: Any time you can win over 60% of your faceoffs, you have a chance to win any game. Craig Bunker is easily the most important player to this Colby squad as he always gives them a chance to respond after an opponent scores or to score again quickly after a Colby goal. Whit McCarthy returns, providing a proven scoring option to an offense that is going to be looking for someone to step up, especially through the midfield. McCarthy is not a complete player offensively and will have to show that he is a threat with both hands or defenses will have an easy time dealing with him. Of course, Coaching Jesus returns as well, providing the Mules with a strong hand at the helm.

What's not: An already sub-par defense loses its senior goalie. He wasn't a great stopper but did seem to do a solid job directing the defense, none of whom stood out individually. The same challenge of replacing an experienced goalie that many other NESCAC teams face is Colby's as well.However, the most damning loss is the graduation of Caddy Brooks. Whit McCarthy may have had the gaudy numbers last year but it was the gritty play of Brooks, dodging hard to the cage with both hands and absorbing checks then often dishing to McCarthy for either a time and space shot from the wing or a redodge. Without a two-headed monster at attack, Colby's offense will be more predictable.

What we should be talking about: Whether or not Thompson will walk on water at some point during the season; Who will be taking Caddy Brooks' spot on the all-Name team; The possibility that Colby was pretty average last year; Why so many Colby fans showed up on this forum in the past year; How important Craig Bunker is to this team