It has been one unforgettable year for the Merrimack Warriors.

Besides capturing another Division II ECAC East title, Merrimack was the top-ranked Division I independent in the nation. Its 32-4 record set a new school record for most victories in a seasson. The Warriors also have a Division II-III East Hobey Baker recipient in senior Jim Vesey.

What more can a school that is not part of a major college hockey conference ask for?

A bid to the first round of the NCAA Tournament that doesn't find the Warriors packing up their bags and heading out West.

Merrimack (the number-six seed in the West) got that also, as it visits Matthews Arena tonight and tomorrow to face Northeastern (the East's number-three seed) in a two-game, total-goals series.

The Huskies (19-12-1), making their second NCAA Tournament appearance, captured their first Hockey East title Monday night with a 4-3 victory over Maine, one of the four teams that earned a bye in the tournament.

"We're obviously flattered and honored," Merrimack Coach Ron Anderson said, "but we are certainly the long shot [to win the national championship]. We are certainly a tremendous underdog."

That's what Fern Flaman's Huskies thought a couple of months ago when they traveled to Merrimack, only to lose in overtime, 3-2.

"It'll smarten them up," Flaman said, referring to his players' reaction to the overtime loss.

Northeastern's offensive attack is led by Kevin Heffernan (19-24--43), Dave O'Brien (16-27--43) and Harry Mews (16-23--39).

In 29 games, goalie Bruce Racine has posted a 3.46 goals-against average and an. 892 save percentage.

In 1982, the Huskies advanced to the Final Four, where they lost, 6-3, to eventual champion North Dakota. Northeastern trounced New Hampshire, 10-4, in the consolation game to capture third place in the tournament.

"We certainly don't match up with Northeastern," Anderson said, "but we're a pretty well-balanced team."

Vesey's impressive 38-53--91 clip, the best mark in the nation, anchors a talented Warrior offense. In his career, Vesey has accumulated 240 points, another school record. Freshman Ben Lebeau (35-35--70)--whose numbers also set freshmen school records--and Rich Pion (32-37--69) round out the Warrior scoring.

Goalie Jim Hriunak has shattered the record book this year for the Warriors. He has posted a 29-4 record, a 2.17 g.a.a., a .926 save percentage and four shutouts.